Alvin Gayheart

Alvin Gayheart, 85, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early in the morning on July 23, 2018. He passed away peacefully in his home that he shared with loved ones in Indianapolis. Alvin was born on December 6, 1932 in McDowell, KY to Barth and Belle (Alley) Gayheart. He had 19 siblings: Vester, Chester, Belle, Millie, Green, Jack, Thearn, Reford, Martha, Annie, Omie, Morg, Ocie, Ruby, Ruth, Dixie, Delbert, Corzetta, and Dan. On August 25, 1950, Alvin married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Myrtie Howell, whom he met during a game of hide-and-go-seek. Alvin and Myrtie went on to lovingly raise four children: Darlene, Vonda, Pat, and Rick. Alvin was a hard-working man who diligently supported his dear family. He worked in a coal mine for a short time in Kentucky, at a sawmill in West Virginia, for New York Central Railroad in Ashtabula, Ohio and finally for Amtrak in Beech Grove, Indiana. He was a great example of perseverance, humbleness, devotion, kindness, and godliness. Alvin’s life was a living testament of his favorite Bible verses, Hebrew 5:13- “He will never leave us or forsake us.” Ephesians 4:32- “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Alvin was known for growing incredible vegetable gardens, spoiling his grandchildren with candy and cough drops, having an open door to everyone, and always having a smile on his face. Alvin enjoyed hunting, gospel music, western TV shows, and Sunday morning church services at the House of Prayer Tabernacle. Above all, time spent with family is what Alvin treasured the most. He will be dearly missed. Surviving are his loving daughters, Vonda (Lance) Mountford and Pat Hillebrand; granddaughters, Celena Jared, Wendy Johnson, Erin (Chris) Hack, Melinda George and Amber Snodgrass; grandsons, Richard (Melissa) Gayheart, Adam (Angel) Hillebrand, and Jonathan (Emily) Mountford, Devin Patterson and Jason Gayheart; sister, Dixie Hirby; brother, Dan Gayhart; 13 great grand-children, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Myrtie and parents, Alvin was preceded in death by nine sisters, eight brothers, his daughter Darlene George, and his son Rick Gayheart. All of these family members he deeply loved and touched. Funeral services will be held at Little & Sons Funeral Home in Beech Grove, 1301 Main Street on Thursday July 26 at 1:00. Relatives and friends may share their condolences from 11:00-1:00. Interment will be held afterward at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.