AUBURN - Richard L. Gearhart Jr., 55, of Grover Street, Auburn, died Friday, Nov. 25, 2005, at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Gearhart was born in Newark, the son of Richard and the late Marge Gearhart Sanford. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Structural Associates of Syracuse.

Dick was a member of SK Post American Legion, SAL, C & K Hunting Club Martindale Farms of Groton and a member of the Cayuga County Sportsman Club.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Bonnie Tanner Gearhart of Auburn; stepchildren, Joseph, James and Justin Hobby and Stephanie Ryan; two grandsons; his father, Richard L. Gearhart Sr. of Auburn; his father-in-law, Fred Tanner and family; his sisters, Dawn Cunningham of Conquest, Linda (Steve) Knight and family of Tucson, Ariz. and Kathy (Steve) Craine of Carlsbad, Calif.; his niece, Shawna (Jim) Burke, and their children, of Conquest; his stepmother, Louise Gearhart of Jordan; his stepsister, Denise Spaulding of Jordan; his devoted “brother and sister” Bill and Dawn Slayton of Auburn, who were there on a daily basis; several nieces and nephews and many, many wonderful friends who kept Dick in their thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Gearhart was predeceased by his mother, Marge (Gearhart) Sanford in 2002; his stepbrother, Jon Pacelli in 1998 and his brother-in-law, Fred Tanner Jr. in 2003.

Services will be private and there will be no calling hours. Burial will be in Sennett Rural Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rural Metro Ambulance, 165 North St., Auburn in memory of Dick Gearhart Jr.

Brew Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.