Alspach-Gearhart Funeral HomeObituaries · Van Wert, OH

Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home traces its roots to 1903 when Rev. E.F. Gamble established the original funeral business in Middle Point before relocating to Van Wert in 1905. Rev. Gamble was joined by his son-in-law Gordon H. Alspach in 1926, who had married Gamble's daughter Grace. The Alspach family continued the tradition when Gordon and Grace's son John entered the business in 1957 following the tragic death of his brother David, who was electrocuted while responding to an ambulance run in 1956.

In 1959, Gordon and John Alspach constructed a new facility designed exclusively for funeral services at the current location on South Washington Street in Van Wert. The funeral home operated ambulance service during the era before modern EMS systems. Today, Alspach-Gearhart operates three locations throughout Van Wert County, including the flagship Van Wert facility, Gearhart-Sauer Funeral Home in Convoy, and Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford.

The funeral home features an on-site crematory and offers live-streaming capabilities for services. Pre-planning programs are available for families preparing future arrangements.