Daniel John Gehrt

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Daniel John Gehrt, a beloved husband, brother, uncle, and friend, who left us on July 10, 2026, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. Born on December 28, 1951, in Manhattan, Kansas, Dan was the son of the late Betty (Culbertson) Gehrt and Maurice "Buck" Gehrt, who predeceased him. Dan's life was a testament to love, resilience, and community spirit. He grew up surrounded by the beauty of the Deep Creek Community, a place he cherished throughout his life. He attended Woodrow Wilson Elementary School and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1970. His professional journey began at Westar Energy, now known as Evergy, where he dedicated 45 years as a power meterman before retiring in 2017. On June 8, 1996, Dan married the love of his life, Coralee (Heimstra Lane) Gehrt, in Manhattan, Kansas. Together, they recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, a milestone that was marked by the deep bond they shared over the years. They built a beautiful home off Deep Creek Road, where they spent countless hours maintaining and improving their cherished property. Dan was a man of many passions. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed collecting and shooting guns and spent many peaceful days hunting deer and fishing for bass and catfish in local stock ponds. While he grudgingly accompanied Cora and their service dog, Jack, to South Dakota for pheasant hunting, his heart truly belonged to the land he called home. Dan also found joy in the simple pleasures of life, like working on his John Deere tractors, often seen cutting brush in the pastures with his trusty 3046, complete with air conditioning and radio. Known for his generous spirit and "heart of gold," Dan was always the first to lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends. His compassion knew no bounds, and he was known to have a special affinity for yellow Labrador dogs. His kindness extended even to building handicap ramps for aging dogs, a testament to his boundless empathy. Dan is survived by his devoted wife, Coralee, his siblings Teresa Sanborn, Sherry Gehrt, and David Gehrt, as well as his nieces and nephews: Stephanie Sanborn, Bobbi Horocofsky, Brian Sanborn, and Tee and Payton Gehrt. He also leaves behind his faithful companion, his service dog, Jack. Though Dan had no children or grandchildren, his legacy of kindness and community service will be felt for generations to come. A visitation will be held at Yorgenson-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, located at 1616 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, on July 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. A graveside service will follow on Thursday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. A procession to the grave site will begin at the funeral home at 10:00. In honor of Dan's memory, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Deep Creek Schoolhouse, a cause close to his heart. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the friends and neighbors who supported them through Dan's struggles in recent years, and to the ICU staff at Via Christi Hospital for their compassionate care during Dan's final days. Dan's love for the creek, and his unwavering strength in the face of adversity, will forever be remembered by all who knew him. His spirit lives on in the hearts of those he touched.