Dorothy Elizabeth Gerhard, 92, passed away October 10, 2009. Dorothy was born December 19, 1916, in Morrison, Illinois to Edward A. and Clara (Gross) Johnson. She graduated from Morrison High School, attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Business College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1943. she enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. After completing boot camp in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, she was assigned to Hobbs Army Air Field in Hobbs, New Mexico. While at Hobbs, she met a young airman, Howell S. Gerhard. They were married March 4, 1944, in the parsonage of the Lovington United Methodist Church.Dorothy worked as a legal secretary for H.B. Wilkinson Co in Morrison, Illinois and for Chicago Title and Trust Company in Rockford, Illinois. After retiring, she and her husband "Red" moved to southern California to be near their daughter Nerys. In October 1988, they moved to Midland, TX. She was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Dorothy was also a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Fit and Fun Group of St. Luke's UMC.Dorothy is survived by son Gary Gerhard (Leah) of Midland, TX, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Johnson, her husband of 55 years, Howell "Red" Gerhard, her daughter Nerys Gerhard Jones, and her grandson Matthew Gary Edwin Gerhard. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3011 W. Kansas, Midland, TX.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Luke's UMC Foundation or St. Luke's UMC Building on Faith Fund in care of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3011 W. Kansas St., Midland, TX 79701.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,