Dorothy Gebhardt

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Dorothy I (Standefer) Gebhart went to meet her heavenly father on March 16, 2024.

Dorothy was born on December 9, 1932 near Diamond, MO to Henry Lee and Gladys (Wilson) Standefer. Dorothy was raised in the Diamond and Neosho Missouri area. She began her education attending the one room Silvermoon school near Diamond, MO and eventually graduated from Neosho High School with the class of 1951.

After graduation Dorothy married Freddy Lee Gebhart on August 4, 1951 in Bentonville, AR in a triple wedding ceremony with Freddy’s two brothers and their wives. Freddy and Dorothy shared 67 years of marriage together and raised three children.

Dorothy moved for a brief time to Pasa Robels, CA while Freddy was serving in the Army and while there she worked as a civilian employee in the PX on base. When Freddy was deployed to Korea Dorothy moved back to Neosho. After Freddy’s discharge they established their home in Miami, OK in 1954 and Dorothy began her career as a homemaker and mother raising their three children and participating in their education as homeroom mother and PTA at some point in all three of the children’s elementary school years. She was also Den Mother in Cub Scouts for both of the boys and was an Avon representative for a number of years after the children were older in school.

Dorothy and Freddy were avid western square dancers and was president of the Miami Squares dance club for many years. They also served as delegates for the club to the Northeast Oklahoma Square Dance Association. Their dancing would eventually involve their entire family all of whom danced and traveled to many National, state and district conventions over the years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Freddy in 2018, her parents Henry and Gladys Standefer, 2 sisters Lois Edens and Irena Wells, and 3 brothers Leon Standefer, Ray Standefer and Robert Lester Standefer. Dorothy was the last family member of that generation and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

She is survived by two sons Gary Gebhart and Max Gebhart both of the home, one daughter Becky (Jim) Oexman of Miami and one grandson Adam (Danielle) Oexman Lawrence, KS. many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 at Paul Thomas Funeral home chapel on Tuesday March 19, 2024 and funeral service will be at First Christian Church in Miami on Wednesday March 20, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow in Forest Park cemetery in Joplin, MO.