Randal Otto Gharst

Randal Otto Gharst, 73, of Greenwood, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

He was born on Thursday, May 29, 1947 to the late Otto and Marjorie (Scheid) Gharst in Washington, Indiana.

Describing Randy is easy…he had a BIG personality and you always knew when he entered a room! He smiled all the time and loved to meet new people. They were going to be his new friend whether they wanted to be or not. I’m sure that’s what made him a natural born salesman. Randy loved his boys and grandchildren but I’m not sure I would say he was the traditional type father or grandfather, nor would they. He was unique in that sense.

Randy loved life and he lived it to the fullest. He loved to feed the birds and the dogs in the neighborhood. If a dog were to walk by our house…they were getting a treat whether the owner wanted d them to have it or not. When springtime would come, he couldn’t wait to plant his tomatoes. There was just the two of us and he couldn’t wait to pick them and lay them across my countertop, not to mention bagging up his little cherry tomatoes and taking them to restaurants to put on his salad and asking the waiter to try them. His morning routine always included meeting up with his buddies at McDonalds to solve the worlds issues. He loved that bunch of guys! Randy’s other love was riding his Harley with his grandson. He was so looking forward to doing that with him this spring.

Randy loved the homeless and in typical Randy fashion he would find a homeless gentleman and sit and talk, laugh, and sing with them. With Randy’s style sense it sometimes would be difficult for passersby to which one was homeless.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn M. Gharst; children, Randy Shawn Gharst, Christopher Thrasher, Ryan Stogsdill; siblings, Doug Gharst, Carolyn (Gharst) Taylor, Diane (Gharst) Gray; grandchildren, Jake Gharst, Austin Thrasher, Isaiah Thrasher, Ava Thrasher; great grandchildren, Kirsten Gharst and Mason Gharst.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Otto, and Marjorie Gharst; grandson, Zach Gharst.

Randy was always a strong and healthy man full of life, the year 2020 brought so much to the world, Randy fought with everything he had to stay on this earth for his family and friends. He conveyed many of his thoughts, wishes and prayers on notebooks and shared them on facetime. He wanted his loved ones to know that GOD, PRAYER, and FAMILY are all that is important. He also wanted them to know that he was OK, and he had found GOD. Even though COVID took his life, it does not define the man that he was, the impact he had on people and does not define his life. ALL IS WELL WITH HIS SOUL and mine! He will be missed!

Visitation is Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Indiana Funeral Care, Greenwood Chapel.

Funeral service will begin at 11:00 am.

Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Greenwood, Indiana immediately following the service.

Due to COVID restrictions we are only allowing 25 persons to be in the chapel at one time and a mask must be worn the entire time.

Family and friends unable to attend can watch the service via ZOOM. Please dial in with 317-348-1570 5 minutes prior to service time.