Joan A. Gerhart, 77, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones while under the compassionate care of hospice. She and her husband, Keith R. Gerhart, recently celebrated 56 years of marriage on April 5, 2025.
Born in Lebanon on March 17, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Carl R. Kalbach, a WWII POW veteran, and Verna Williams-Kalbach. Following high school, Joan graduated from Empire Beauty School in Lebanon.
A woman of deep faith and service, Joan was a member of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jonestown and Hill UCC in Annville. She served as president of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Lebanon, was active with the Jonestown Perseverance Fire Co., and, alongside her husband, participated in mission work with Red Bird Missions in Kentucky. She also volunteered her time at local nursing homes, offering compassion and kindness to many.
Joan will be remembered as a gifted cook and baker, known for her cakes, jams, and jellies, as well as her creativity in crafting. She loved playing card and board games—especially Scrabble, pinochle, and blitz—and was famous for her playful sayings like “Do you feel lucky?” and “Shake the hand of the champ” during her many game-time victories.
In addition to her beloved husband, Keith, Joan is survived by her daughter, Heather V. Gerhart-Shindel, and her significant other, Bradley Zimmerman, of Jonestown; son, Brandon K., and his wife, Michelle Gerhart, of Kansas; and honorary son, Till (Dagmar), of Berlin, Germany. She was blessed with five grandchildren, Seth Shindel (Alanna, and her son, Eli), of Myerstown, Aaron (Erika) Shindel, of Annville, Cassandra (Jeff) Smithey, of Tennessee, Parker (Taylor) Nash, of Kansas, and Meaghan (Will) Dervin, of Florida; and 10 great-grandchildren, Aydenn, Lucas, Bennett, Avery, Liam, Isla, Ward, Barrett, Parker “PJ,” and Teddy. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Carl “Carlie” (Nicole) Kalbach, of Texas; and is survived by her sisters, Dorothy (Brian) Zimmerman, of Lebanon, Nancy (Patrick) Wagner, of Annville, Tonya Fourman (late Robert), of Delaware, Luann Wade, of Jonestown, and Lori (Donald) Weaver, of Lebanon; and known to Joan’s and her siblings’ children as their beloved Aunt Helen Angelo, of Lebanon.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Jonestown. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Hospice Chaplain Journey will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to WellSpan Hospice, 1503 Quentin Road, Lebanon, PA 17042, with Joan A. Gerhart’s name in the memo line. The Gerhart family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team for their compassionate care.
To honor Joan’s life, the family encourages guests to wear green—a tribute to her love for St. Patrick’s Day, which was also her birthday.
