Louise A. Gerling “Granny” Blair passed away on September 2, 2023 at Arbor Grove in Greensburg, Indiana. Louise spent her last days surrounded by her loved ones before she left this life and was taken home by Jesus. She was almost 96 years old.
Louise was born on December 3, 1927 in Stoughton, Wisconsin to parents, Leo and Ragnhild Gerling. She was the oldest of eight children. She was the last of her siblings to pass. She married the love of her life, Earl R. Blair on June 21, 1947 in Chillicothe, Ohio. Earl preceded her in death on August 31, 1979.
Every great love story has a happy ending. Louise’s story ends when she entered Heaven and was reunited with the love of her life. “What Kept you?” were more than likely the first words she heard from him as he welcomed her into his arms after 44 years apart.
Louise and Earl had five children: JoAnn (Larry) Hunter (Greensburg), Leo (Martha) Blair (Costa Mesa, CA), Richard Blair, Laura (Rob) Richey (Greensburg), and Robert Blair. Sons, Richard and Robert preceded her in death.
Louise was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was employed at Union Bank & Trust Company for 20 years. She retired and moved to Florida in December of 1980. She worked at NCNB for another 10 years before officially retiring altogether. Louise moved back to Indiana when her health began to decline.
In addition to her three children, Louise is survived by 7 grandchildren who were her greatest joy. Teresa (Tom) Metz, Joanie (Sam) Nobbe, Kim (Andrew) Miller, all of Greensburg; Ryan (Rachel) Richey of Indianapolis, Blair (Patrick) Maloney of Etna, Ohio, Bridget (Stephen) Duffin of Costa Mesa, CA and Joseph (Sondra) Blair of Portland, OR. She has one grandson, Michael Hunter, who preceded her in death.
Granny Blair was never happier than when she was surrounded by her family. She would often just sit in her chair at Christmas time and be delighted in all of the chaos and chatter. That delight was magnified when Louise became a great grandmother to 17 children. Marti (Jeremy) Moorman, Sammi (Kyle) Redelman, George Slaven, Grace Nobbe and Hunter Nobbe, all of Greensburg. Victoria (Luke Schroeder) Metz of Columbus, Michael (Abbie) Metz of New Haven, Marisol, Sean Duffin of Costa Mesa, CA, Ava and Graham Richey of Indianapolis, Isabella Maloney of Etna, Ohio, Reid, Sabine, and Harlan Blair of Portland, Oregan. Louise was also a great-great grandma to Lawson Redelman and expecting the arrival of Ryker Moorman in the next week.
Granny will be remembered for her wit, sass and big smile. She loved dogs. She loved cooking and baking. She enjoyed traveling. She had a love of books, crossword puzzles, and western movies especially the ones with John Wayne. She was very creative. Her art came in the form of ceramic pieces, paintings and crocheting afghans. She most looked forward to going to Bingo with “her girls” each week. JoAnn, Laura, and Granny were regulars at the Eagles and Knights of Columbus.
A visitation will be on Friday, September 8, 2023, from 10:00AM – 12:00PM with a funeral following at the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg. Burial will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Greensburg. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.popfuneralhome.com.