Gilbert Gaskamp

Gilbert R. Gaskamp, husband of Erna Heckmann Gaskamp, passed away October 8, 2011 in Brenham Rest Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Phil Fenton officiating. Burial will take place in Prairie Lea Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives Monday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Born September 8, 1926 in the Zionsville community of Washington County to Edwin and Emma Glaesmann Gaskamp, Gilbert was baptized in Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville. He attended the Harrisburg School and Blinn College, and later served his country in the U. S. Army during World War II. On July 10, 1949, he married Erna Heckmann in St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill. Gilbert was employed by Maddox Furniture Mfg. for 32 years as an upholsterer and also served as a funeral assistant for Memorial Oaks Chapel for many years. A member of St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gilbert served on the church council for a number of years. He was also a member of the Buddy Wright Post #48 of the American Legion. Survivors include his wife, Erna Gaskamp of Brenham; daughters Janice Crawford and husband Fred of Brenham, and Joyce Schaer of Bryan; grandchildren: Phillip Hadley of Brenham, Josh and Lauren Hadley of New Braunfels, Jason Schaer of College Station, Michael Schaer of Huntsville, and Cindy and Cesar Garay of Conroe; great-granddaughter Gabi Garay of Conroe; brother, Vernon Gaskamp and wife Jeanette of Brenham; sisters-in-law Olivia Gaskamp of Brenham and Laura Heckmann of Georgetown, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son and daughter, his parents, four brothers and one sister. Serving as pallbearers are Brian Gaskamp, Bruce Gaskamp, Randy Heckmann, Larry Hehman, Joshua Hadley, Jason Schaer, Michael Schaer, and Cesar Garay. Phillip Hadley will be an honorary pallbearer. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul''s Lutheran Church, American Heart Assoc., and American Diabetes Assoc. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. For more information, visit the website www.memorialoakschapel.com.