Madison - Richard Merlin Gerbitz, age 58, passed away at Harbor House, Madison, on Saturday, June 14, 2008, after a life long struggle with type 1 diabetes, since age 14. He was born Sept. 12, 1949, at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, the fourth child of 11 children born to Howard M. and Darlene L. Gerbitz. He grew up in the spirit of the church being baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church, Portage, and received confirmation at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Madison. He attended Madison Lutheran School until the eighth grade where he was honored as salutatorian and then graduated from Madison East High School in 1967. He served the state of Wisconsin as a tax auditor for the Department of Revenue for more than 30 years. He grew up and lived his entire life in Wisconsin, where he enjoyed sports and was an avid Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan. As he departs on his final journey he is survived by his mother, Darlene Gerbitz-Davison of Waunakee; four sisters, Patti (Real) Pinard of Madison, Linda (Steve) Jones of Middleton, Sheila (Frank) Pavelec of Pflugerville, Texas, and Sheri (Russ) Manthey of Knoxville, Tenn.; three brothers, Randy (Sandy) Gerbitz of Port Gibson, Miss., Jeffery (Sue) Gerbitz of Carmichael, Calif., and Howard Lee (Doris) Gerbitz of Albuquerque, N.M.; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Gerbitz of Sheboygan; and many nieces and nephews. At the end of his glorious journey, he will joyfully meet and be embraced by grandparents; his father, Howard M. Gerbitz; and his brothers, the Rev. Larry W. Gerbitz, Lorry G. Gerbitz, and Steven D. Gerbitz. Funeral services will be held at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY CHAPEL, 601 E. Broadway, Monona, on Friday, June 20, 2008, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at the cemetery on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. The family would like to thank Harbor House, Patti and her friend, Rose, an angel for being there during his illness.
Ryan Funeral Home, and Cremation Services, 2418 N. Sherman Ave, Madison, WI.