Richard Lynn Gerke of Franklin, North Carolina, died October 7, 2010 at home. He moved to Franklin from Tallahassee in 2007 at the time of his retirement. A retired highway safety manager with the USDAO Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, he was a graduate of Western Michigan University with BS and MPA degrees. He served three tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy's Amphibious Forces as a Gunner's Mate Petty Officer and was a member of the Mobile River Forces Association. He was a life member of the DAV and belonged to St. John's Episcopal Church. He had been past president of the Paw Paw, Michigan Kiwanis Club and is a current member in Franklin.

Born in Saginaw, Michigan on August 16, 1946, he was the son of Kenneth and Lorraine (Pierce) Gerke. On May 22, 1987 in Yardley, Pennsylvania, he married the former Mary Lou Richmond, who survives. Also surviving are his mother, Lorraine Gerke; two step-sons, Timothy (Ruby) Conway of San Antonia, Texas and Richard (Judith) Conway of Decatur, Michigan and six grandchildren; a sister, Nedra Gerke Collins, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a brother, David Gerke, of Battle Creek, Michigan, and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his Father Kenneth in 1991.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 13 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 542 St. John's Church Road, Franklin. The Reverend Debra Rice will officiate. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Episcopal Church Discretionary Fund.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.