Keith J. Gehle, 66, of Rockford, died unexpectedly at 7:27 p.m. Jan. 27, 2012, at Van Wert County Hospital.

He was born May 19, 1945, in Celina, to Al and Florence Leugers Gehle. On Aug. 27, 1966, he married Margaret M. Homan, who survives in Rockford.

Also surviving are four children, Steve (Missy) Gehle, Rockford, Jennifer Brandt, Rockford, Jim (April) Gehle, Lawrenceburg, Ind., Marie Gehle, Evans, Ga.; a daughter-in-law, Kim (Ralph) Gehle-Forbes, Salt Lake City, Utah; siblings, Richard (Kay) Gehle, Lakeland, Fla., Audry Jean Meiring, Sharpsburg, Betty Nieman, Alexandria, Va., and Karen (Chett) Moore, Armona, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Anna Maria Gehle, Rome, Italy, and Myrna Gigandet, Versailles; mother-in-law, Bernie Homan, St. Henry; six sisters-and-brothers-in-law and spouses; and 11 grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Allen Gehle; three brothers, Duane, David and Delaine; a sister, Patty; his father-in-law, Alfred Homan; three brothers-in-law, Tom Meiring, Frank Nieman and Jim Foote.

He was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church, Rockford.

He was a 1963 graduate of Marion Local Schools and he founded Gehle Transport, Inc., and retired in 2007. He was lifetime member of Rockford Eagles, a 25-year member of Knights of Columbus, a member of Van Wert and Celina Moose lodges and a member of Sons of the Legions, Rockford.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, Rockford, the Rev. Ken Alt officiating.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home. Rockford Eagles will conduct a service at 7 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. A private graveside service will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the church or to Shane's Park, Leota Braun Foundation.

Condolences may be left at ketchamripley.com.