Eric L. Gerber, 22, Decatur, grandson of a Fort Recovery resident, died Thursday morning at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne, following a New Year’s Day beating.

Benjamin P. Danels, 18, Decatur was arrested at his home in connection with the death of Gerber and held on a preliminary charge of battery. Danels is being held in the Adams County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bond.

Gerber, 22, died at 11:17 am Thursday at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne. An autopsy will be performed today to determine the cause of death, Decatur Police Detective Bob Noack said. Noack released no other details and said an investigation is continuing.

Gerber was found unconscious by emergency responders about 12:15 am Wednesday in the parking lot of the Village Green Shopping Center on Decatur’s south side.

Noack said Danels and Gerber had been attending a New Year’s Eve party at a nearby residence. They left the party and became involved in an altercation in the parking lot. Police had not determined the reason for the fight, Noack said.

A native of Decatur, Gerber worked at Power Plant Services in Fort Wayne.

Surviving are his parents, Clyde L. and Emilda H. Gerber, Decatur; six brothers; three sisters; and a grandmother, Florence Schindler, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

Services are set for 10:30 am Saturday at the Zwick-Sefton and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, and at 11 am at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Decatur. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School.

Commercial Review
January 3, 1992

(Contributed by Jim Cox)