Date of Death: March 14, 2026
Service Details
Her family will receive friends Friday, March 20, 2026 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor John Sears officiating.
Obituary Notice
Penny Elaine Gearhart, 78, of Three Rivers, went to be with her Lord Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Birch Meadows Senior Care.
She was born August 16, 1947 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Charles and Nola (Dehn) Daugherty, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1965.
Penny had the honor of being named Miss Three Rivers in 1965.
On April 2, 1994, she married Bill Gearhart. The two enjoyed going for daily drives, always swinging in for a Frosty on the way. They also loved getting their family together.
Music and faith were both very important in Penny’s life. She loved both listening to music and making beautiful music on the piano. She was a member of Newberg Norton Bible Church and during the summers, enjoyed getting every Sunday night ready for Drive-In Church.
Remaining to cherish her memory are her husband, Bill Gearhart; her children’s father, Dennis Bottger; children, Bryan (Ammie) Bottger, Lainie (Rich) Wheat, April (Todd) Kane, Sharon (Dave) Nichols, Jim (Shannyn) Gearhart, and Dan (Stacy) Gearhart; daughter-in-law, Amy Bottger; grandchildren, Kaytlin, Samuel, Ashlyn, William, Bryce, Alex, Ryan, Alyx, Tye (Sierra), Trenton, Emma, Leah, Eowyn, Harrison, Autumn, Sebastian, Alex, and Xan (Autumn); three great-grandchildren; and brothers, Larry (Jody) Daugherty, Jim (Linette) Daugherty, and Pat Daugherty.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jason Bottger; and sisters-in-law, Anne Daugherty and Nancy Daugherty.
Additional Information
Donations in Penny’s memory may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Newberg Norton Bible Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I can see the faithfulness of God reading about this family. Being from the South and living here meant I did not get to grow up with my cousins on mom’s side. Every time I saw Penny she radiated joy. I was stunned when listening to Lainie sing. I am praying for you, my family. I am grateful for His grace and that Penny is with Him. Our interactions, few as they may have been were a testimony.
Just how I remember Aunt Penny: a big smile on her face and a flower in her hair. I don’t have many memories of her, but they are full of her gift for music and her extremely kind heart. She always made you feel like the most special person and she couldn’t be happier to see you! I am so sorry for your loss and want you to know that I am thinking of all of you and sending love and hugs your way!
Our prayers are with Bill and the family. Penny was a beautiful person inside & out. She was a wonderful mother & an amazing wife to Bill. She is well known for wearing a flower in her hair. You will be missed Penny.
May she have Eternal Rest. Prayers for her family. I remember Penny coming to the nursing home where I worked and sing for our residents. She and her brother Pat are longtime friends with my husband Skip.
When I was younger, I knew Penny because I was friends with her daughter. She always was the most kindest, loving person. She was always helping others. She has touched so many lives including mine and beautiful inside and out. Family is in my thoughts and prayers
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all the Gearhart family. Always enjoyed trading with you all at Boland Tire and Penny was always a joy.
Miss Penny was well known as the flower lady. Everywhere we went it seems someone would come up to her and mention the flowers she wore in her hair.
My granddaughters Evelynn and Veda went with me to visit Miss Penny on Sundays after church, and I’m not sure she remembered us, but she enjoyed being entertained by them.
Her piano playing was jazzy and fantastic. We will surely miss her, but we know she is with Jesus.
What a perfect picture of Aunt Penny! I remember her playing piano when I went out for a visit when I was young. I still remember her teaching us the song she wrote about the Indiana turn pike! She was such a remarkable musician, always with a smile on her face . My Dad has told so many stories of his sister and growing up in Three Rivers. She must have had some grit to put up with 3 brothers. I’m sure she will be missed by so many, we were all so lucky to have known her.
Oh 13 miles on the Indiana Toll rd. Each verse took us a mile to sing. Much better than 13 bottles of beer on the wall. lol 😂
Penny’s gentle spirit touched so many people, and she will be missed by all who loved her. My sincere condolences to her entire family during this difficult time.