Gerald H. Labuhn, Executive Director Emeritus of the Lutheran Orphans and Old Folks' Home Society of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at the age of 87. Pastor Labuhn was born in Detroit, Michigan, July 10, 1928 to Elmer Clarence Labuhn and Clara Helen nee Hay. Pastor Labuhn graduated from Capital University and the Evangelical (Trinity) Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio and from the Wayne State University School of Social Work. On June 5, 1954, he married the love of his life, Ilean Thueme. Their union was blessed with three boys and three girls. They also served as foster parents to six boys and two girls. After serving as a student pastor at First St. John and St. Mark Lutheran Churches in Toledo, he was called in 1953 as associate pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church where he served until 1959. From 1959 to 1964 he was pastor of Christ Memorial and Gracious Savior Lutheran Churches in Detroit. In 1964, he became the Executive Director of the Lutheran Orphans' and Old Folks' Home Society, a position he held until retiring in 1994. He continued to serve the Society in his Emeritus years as Society Archivist and Museum Coordinator. During his ministry Pastor Labuhn served on a host of committees, commissions, and task forces of various units of the church and government. He was president of The Association of American Lutheran Social Services Administrators, Chair of the American Lutheran Church Advisory Board on Aging, President of the Ohio Association of Lutheran Social Service Administrators, founder and President of the Coalition of Ohio Lutheran Agencies, member of the National Lutheran Social Service System (LS/3) policy committee, and Chairman of the Board for Ministry of the Northwest Ohio Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Ohio National Association of Social Workers, the Award of Honor from the Association of Philanthropic Homes and Services on Aging, and was inducted into the Toledo Area Office on Aging Hall of Honor. Known as "Coach" by many, Pastor Labuhn loved sports, having played baseball, basketball, fast pitch and slow pitch softball. He lettered in track at Capital University, where he also served a year as varsity track coach. He coached baseball and fast pitch softball for 35 years, with eight years at Oregon Clay High School and eleven years at Northwood Senior High School. He was the fast pitch softball pitching instructor for the US Diamond Sports Training Center and also donated hundreds of hours giving free pitching lessons to over 300 area youth in Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota. All of these activities led him to the honor of being inducted to the Capital University Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition, Pastor was advisor to the Mavericks 4-H Saddle Club, during which time he held Sunday morning services for the youth on horseback at the Lucas County Fair. Pastor Labuhn is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ilean; children, Phil (Nancy), Roseanne (Misael) Martinez, Cindy (Dave) Herrera, Beth Allan, Mark (Kerri), and Matt (Gretchen); 16 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Gordon (Karen) Labuhn; and sister-in-law, Loretta Lukasak. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard and Floyd; and son-in-law, Jeff Allan. Friends may call at the Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road on Thursday, September 24, 2015 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Friday, September 25, 2015 from 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, September 26, 2015, at 2:30 pm in First St. John Lutheran Church, 2471 Seaman Road, Toledo, where the family will greet friends beginning at 1:30 pm. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to the Labuhn Center Cross Fund, First St. John Lutheran Church, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Pastor Labuhn's family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses, doctors and staff of Promedica Bay Park Hospital, the Labuhn Center, and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for the loving care given.