Kenneth Ralph Gearhart, 96, of Apollo passed away December 10th, 2025. He was born on February 17th, 1929 to Walter Edward and Hazel Elnora (Smeltzer) Gearhart in Washington Township. He grew up in Oklahoma Borough and graduated in 1947 from Washington Township High School where he swam and captained the Red Raiders in football and basketball. During his senior year, he began dating Betty Lucille Bowman who he married on March 10th, 1951. He attended Thiel College earning his Associates Degree before enlisting as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army. While stationed in Germany during the Korean War, Lucille gave birth to their son David Kenneth. He went on to work as an Insurance Inspector at Retail Credit Insurance and have three daughters Susan Faye, Linda Gail, and Amy Beth. After retiring, he became a popular bus driver for Kiski Area School District until 2009.

In between bus driving runs, he would golf daily as he was a man of many hobbies. One of his greatest passions was harness racing horses at the Meadowlands and local county fairs with his Uncle Donald Clair Smeltzer. He loved his horses and dachshunds. Additionally, he was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, shooting muzzleloaders, and fishing. He was an avid Pittsburgh Sports Fan, but even a bigger fan of watching his grandchildren play sports as he never missed a game. He will be greatly missed by all as he was a tremendous family man.

He is survived by beloved wife Lucille; daughters Susan Bella of Homer City, Linda (Timothy) Mitcheson, of Apollo, Amy (Richard) Shaffer of Apollo; daughter-in-law Patricia Gearhart-Vojticek of Apollo; grandchildren Carrie (Andy) Smith of Pittsburgh, Megan (Danna) Edwards-Gearhart of Pittsburgh, Haley (Adam) Moss of Coraopolis, Dane (Michelle) Mitcheson of Apollo, Dessie (Zachery) Pilek of Costa Mesa, CA, Mia Shaffer of Apollo, and Dutch Shaffer of Erie; great-grandchildren Finnigan and Josephine Smith, Lincoln, Cruz, and Griffin Moss, Rita and Ruby Mitcheson, and Ziggy Pilek.

He is proceeded in death by his son David, son-in-law John Bella, and brother Harold Gearhart.

Family and friends will be received on December 14th, 2025, from 11 a.m. till the time of the service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Julie Kolacz officiating at the Janette L. Gamble Funeral Home Inc., 2842 River Road, Vandergrift, PA 15690, 724-567-7006. Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery.