Obituaries
Ga-Ge

GABEHART, Diane I. - probably Journal-Courier newspaper, 2006 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
   Diane I. Gabehart, 52, of Ashland, died Sunday evening, September 3, 2006 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
   She was born December 21, 1953 in Jacksonville, the daughter of Donald J. And Mildred I. Eilers Fielden. She married Gary W. Gabehart on June 1, 1974 in Chandlerville, and he survives.
   She is also survived by one daughter, Erin Leigh Gabehart of Naperville; one son, Wesley Kyle Gabehart of Ashland; one brother, Donald W. Fielden (wife, Helen) of Ft. Worth, TX; her twin sister, Debra Lynn (husband, Dan) of Chandlerville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Sharon Kay Murphy (surviving husband, Ray of Chandlerville).
   Mrs. Gabehart was a 1972 graduate of Chandlerville High School and was named co-valedictorian with her twin sister. She also graduated from Hardin Business College in Jacksonville. She was a legal secretary for the Bellatti Law Firm in Jacksonville from 1984-1987. Since 1991, she has served as bookkeeper for the A-C Central School District. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Ashland. A former seamstress and pianist, she enjoyed reading, crafts, antiques, and collecting birdhouses. She was especially devoted to her children and creating strong family bonds.
   Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, September 7, 2006 at First Baptist Church in Ashland with burial in Ashland Cemetery. Friends may call after 4:00 PM Wednesday at the Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Ashland where the family will meet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Memorial gifts are suggested to Ashland U-Help Inc. or First Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com .

GAILEY, Mary Elizabeth - Ashland Sentinel, Ashland, Illinois, Friday, September 2, 1921 - Submitted by Carol Orwig
   Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Euphemia Sinclair, was born September 15, 1848, near Hebron, Illinois, and died in Bloomington, Illinois, August 24, 1921, aged nearly 73 years.
   She was one of a family of thirteen children, all of whom have preceded her in death except her twin brother, James and brother John and two half-sisters.
   Her early girlhood was spent in the Hebron and Centenary neighborhoods. After two years in the Womans College in Jacksonville, where she took special training in music and art, she on January 1, 1873, was united in marriage to Dr. W.W. Gailey then a practicing physician at Prentice, Illinois. To this union were born six children; Dr. Watson Gailey of Bloomington, Illinois, Miss Rowena of Cheyenne, Wyoming, being the only members of the family now living.
   Her early married life was spent at Prentice and afterward at Ashland, where she continued to make her home until after the death of Dr. Gailey in 1910. Failing health occasioned her to give up her home and remove to Jacksonville, where she was under the loving care of her sons, Dr. Byron and Eugene. After their deaths she went to live with her daughter Rowena, in Chicago, but her failing health necessitated her removal to Normal, Illinois in 1920, where everything was done for her comfort and happiness. The end came last Wednesday evening after an illness of four days.
   Always of quiet and unassuming temperament, sweet disposition and fine mind, Mrs. Gailey won many friends and was greatly endeared to her family. She was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church and, while a friend to all churches, she loved best the church of her youth.
   The funeral service was held last Friday morning August 26, 1921.

GARDNER, Mary Kathleen - Buchanan Funeral Home Internet Website
Mary Kathleen Gardner, 87, died Thursday, October 1, 2009, at her home in Ashland.
   She was born March 14, 1922, in Springfield, the daughter of Stuart J. and Margaret V. Devlin Reid. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack; a daughter, Mary Jonelle; two sisters and a brother.
   Mary K. graduated from Springfield College in Illinois and Illinois State University. She also attended Lincoln School of Law. Prior to her marriage in 1945, she taught at Crow’s Point and Oakdale schools. She retired from teaching in 1990 at Ashland School after 25 years of teaching elementary grades.
   Mary K. served from 1976 to 1984 as superintendent of the Illinois State Fair Floriculture Show and from 1984 to 1998 as Hobby, Arts and Crafts Show superintendent.
   She was a member of the St. Augustine Church and Altar and Rosary Society, the Ashland Women’s Club, the Cass County Retired Teachers’ Association, and a local teachers’ sorority. She volunteered at Ashland Grade School kindergarten and served as a catechism teacher at St. Augustine Catholic Church.
   She was the recipient of an Illinois Education Association Award in 1998 and named Ashland First Citizen in 2000.
   She is survived by two daughters and four sons, Roni (Bill) Wallner of Springfield; Kathy A. (Gary) Leming of Ashland; John L. “J” (Joann) of Yorktown,VA; Stuart (Pam) of Ashland; James R. (Lynn Maynock) of Tillamook, OR; Mark S. (Lori) of Albuquerque, NM; 12 grandchildren, Jonelle (Mark) Brent and Julie (Cliff) McIntosh both of Springfield; Kathy (Gavin) Green of Charleston, SC; Amy (Todd) Parlier, Virginia; John (Jachala) Gardner, Ashland; Joseph Gardner, Junction City, OR; Jacob Gardner, Springfield; Anna Gardner, Norfolk, VA; Matthew Gardner, Minot, ND; Christopher Gardner and Kimberly (Nick) Payne, both of Albuquerque, NM; Amanda Gardner, Phoenix, AZ; 3 step-grandsons, Mark, Don and Brad Wallner; one step-granddaughter, Julie Ambrose of Shelbyville; 11 great grandchildren; a sister, Sue Doolin of Ashland; many nieces and nephews; and several cousins.
   A funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland with burial at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery in Ashland. The family will meet friends at the church from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Augustine Catholic Church or Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice. Condolences may be left at www.buchanancody.com. Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements.

GARMON, William Wayne - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, September 24, 2002 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
William Wayne Garmon 1913-2002
   William Wayne Garmon, 89, of Pekin and formerly of Chandlerville died Saturday morning, Sept. 21, 2002, at his residence.
   He was born April 4, 1913, in Edmonton, Ky., the son of William Perry and Birdie Grisum Garmon. He married Mary Catherine Cox in1932, in Cass County and she preceded him in death in 1939. He later married Nora Adeline Cox in 1945, in East Peoria and they later divorced.
   He is survived by five sons, William Ralph (wife, Marilyn) of Ashland, David Wayne of Pekin, Ronald F. (wife, Patricia) of Pekin, Larry D. (wife, Brenda) of Tremont, and Terry L., (wife, Dorothy) of Pekin; one daughter, Wanda (husband, Henry) Young of Pekin; one step-son, Roy L. (wife, Virginia) Ewen of Pekin; 14 grandchildren; 6 step grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Donald; one step son, James R. Ewen; 2 grandsons; 2 brothers; and one sister.
   Mr. Garmon owned and operated Wayne's Barber Shop in Pekin since 1952. He previously had a barber shop in East Peoria, worked for Caterpillar, Inc. in East Peoria, and farmed in Cass County.
   Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Virginia. Family will meet friends from 4-6 p.m.Wednesday at the funeral home. Private burial will be held later at the Garner Chapel Cemetery, north of Philadelphia.
   Memorials are suggested to Harbor Light Hospice, 416 St. Mark Court, Suite 206, Peoria, IL.  61602.

GARNER, Rev. Amos - Virginia Gazette, July 1882
   Reverend Amos Garner died last Friday at the residence of his brother, William Garner. He was buried at Garner Chapel cemetery. (The tombstone gives death date as June 30.)

GARNER, Rev. Greenberry - Newspaper obituary, 1816, probably appeared in Virginia Gazette or Ashland Sentinel newspaper and was provided by Eleanor Devlin to Marcia Cox:
   Rev. Greenberry Garner was born in Clark county, Ind. March 11, 1816, and died in Ashland, Ill. Nov. 24, 1887. He had attended the public Thanksgiving service on that day in his usual health, and had assisted by making a short address. While sitting in his chair after dinner, engaged in conversation, his head suddenly dropped on the back of the chair and he was gone. Bro. Garner was converted in his 18th year in Morgan, county, ll. Aug. 27, 1834. He was received on trial in the Illinois Conference of the M.E. Church in 1847, and traveled the following charges in the order named, viz.: Waterloo, Salem, Pulaski, Havana, Fancy Creek, Clinton, Mt. Pleasant, Danville, Georgetown, Camargo, Sangamon, Leroy, Mount Pulaski, Dewitt, Camden, Rushville, Littleton, Labuda, New Hartford, Chandlerville, Ashland and North Jacksonville. He returned to Ashland again as a superannuate. Bro. Garner married Miss Mary J. Redman, March 31, 1836, who survives him, and was his companion in all his vicissitudes and the sharer in all his burdens.Ten children were born unto them, of whom seven are still living. Bro. Garner's parents and grandparents on both sides, and all his brothers and sisters, of whom there were ten, were active, useful Christians and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was ordained elder by Bishop Waugh, in Jacksonville, Ill. Sept. 21, 1851. We have not the date for his ordination as deacon--his certificate having been burned with his house some years ago. Although surrounded with Christian influences in his youth, he nevertheless had a hard struggle to surrender his sinful pleasures and prospects. But he succeeded. And at the trumpet call of the gospel sounded by his own father at the Robinson camp ground near Jacksonville, Ill., he enlisted in Immanuel's army. In1847 he entered the itinerancy. Great success attended the labors of Bro. Garner. It is probably that not less than four or five thousand souls were converted through his instrumentality during his long and laborious ministry.Bro. Garner was as a father to very many young men upon entering the ministry.In earlier times they were sent out two and two, a senior and a junior preacher--that the younger preacher might learn of the senior. Taking the young men who have traveled with him and received their first lessons in the practical work of the itinerancy, and those of his converts who have entered into the ministry and done good service for Lord--and very few of the fathers in the Church will have more stars in their crown of rejoicing in this direction. If we look at the situation now, and compare it with the situation then when he first drove into Waterloo,and could scarcely find a place of shelter. We shall be amazed and instructed and ask one another, Behold what wonders God hath wrought. A. Sloan.

GATTON, Zachariah W. - Historical Sketches of Cass County by J.N. Gridley, 1907
   On the 25th of March 1847, Sarah C. Miller was united in marriage with Zachariah Gatton. Z.W. Gatton was one of the solid and substantial men of this county. For years he was President of the Farmers National Bank of Virginia, IL, he died at his home July 29, 1896, age 84 years.

GEBHARDT, Alfred "Alf" - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, April 4, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Alfred 'Alf' Gebhardt, 1953-2007, Virginia
   Alfred "Alf" Gebhardt, 54, of Virginia, died Tuesday morning, April 3, 2007 at his residence of natural causes.
   He was born March 11, 1953 in Jacksonville, IL the son of Kent F. and Gussie R. Moore Gebhardt.
    He is survived by his mother of Virginia; his companion of 20 years, Barb Rynders of Virginia; three sons, Lucas (wife, Amanda) Gebhardt, Brian Rynders and Fred (wife, Kendra) Rynders, all of Virginia; five daughters, Rhonda (husband, Donnie) Fletcher and Heather (husband, Mike) Clayton, both of Rushville, Cheryl (husband, Jim) Damotte of El Prado, N.M,, Billie Jo (husband, Ray) Andrews of Baylis and Missy (Husband, Jay) Rives of Chandlerville; 19 grandchildren; two brothers, John (wife, Carolyn) Gebhardt of Virginia and Rich (fiancee, Michelle Huey) of Jacksonville; two sisters, Barb (husband, Jim Weishaar and Debbie (husband, Bill) Whitcomb, both of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, one brother, George; and one grandson, Derrick Gebhardt.
   Mr. Gebhardt was a painter and sander at Precision Tank & Equipment Company in Virginia for 34 years. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, drag racing, demolition derbies, tinkering with lawn mowers, going fishing and watching the local Virginia baseball leagues play. But his greatest joy was his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He was of the protestant faith.
   Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Massie-Buchanan Funeral Home in Virginia. Memorial are suggested to the Virginia Park System. Condolences may be left at www.buchananfuneralhomes.com.

GEBHARDT, Wood A. Jr. - Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home and Crematroy, Inc. - Internet Website
Wood A. Gebhardt Jr., January 14, 2009
    Wood A. Gebhardt Jr., 61, of Virginia, IL died Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, IL.
   He was born June 17, 1947 in Beardstown, IL; the son of Wood A. Sr. and Juanita Hardwick Gebhardt. He married Deborah Garver on August 18, 1984 in Virginia, IL and she survives.
    He is also survived by five children, Brandi Handley (husband, Mike) of Bonaire, GA, Blake Gebhardt (wife, Crista) of Springfield, Steven Graves (fiancé, Kim Sharpe) of Springfield, Sara Garza (husband, Nathaniel) of Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM, and Jenny Hays (husband, Eric) of Springfield; 13 grandchildren, William, Natalie, Delaney, Samuel, Matthew, Sophia, Cali, Max, Amelia, Deborah, Norah, Owen, and Tessa; a brother, Duff Gebhardt (wife, Pam) of Albuquerque, NM; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother.
   Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Monday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Virginia with burial at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. The family will meet friends at the church from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be given to the Virginia Memorial Public Library in recognition of Wood’s love of books and reading. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Virginia is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.buchanancody.com

GENSEAL, Alice Elaine McFetridge - Cass County Star-Gazette, Beardstown, Illinois, June 22, 2006 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
   Alice Elaine McFetridge Genseal November 7, 1930-June 16, 2006
   Alice Elaine Genseal, 75, of Beardstown, died Friday evening, June 16, 2006, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
   She was born November 7, 1930, in Astoria, the daughter of Curtis and Julia Sears McFetridge. She married Norman Lee "Pete" Genseal in August 1950.
   She is survived by her husband, Norman "Pete" Genseal of Beardstown; two sons, Michael Joe (wife, Janet) Genseal and Gregory Alan Genseal, both of Beardstown; three grandchildren, Jessica Anne Genseal, Mieki Cooper, and Michael Dylan Genseal; two brothers, Harry (wife, Mary) McFetridge of Prairie City and Bernard (wife, JoAnn) McFetridge of St. Augustine; one sister, Vernice (husband, Dennis) Sloan of Phoenix, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.
   She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Cynthia, in infancy; one brother, Gene McFetridge; and four sisters, Helen McFetridge, Charlotte Jessup, Eleanor Endres, and Ruth Allman.
   Mrs. Genseal graduated from Astoria High School in 1947. Years ago she was employed by the City of Beardstown as a meter maid and she also worked for Classic Fabrics and Woolworth's Five and Dime Store both in Beardstown. Mrs. Genseal was a member of Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post #1239 Ladies Auxiliary in Beardstown.
   Graveside services for Alice E. Genseal were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at Beardstown City Cemetery with Wyatt Sager officiating.
   Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown was in charge of arrangements.

GENSEAL, Janet - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, November 25, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Janet Genseal, 1957-2007, Beardstown
   Janet Genseal, 50, of Beardstown, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in rural Adams County.
   She was born Aug. 2, 1957, in Herrin, the daughter of Orbin and Leota Watson. She married Michael Joe Genseal on Aug. 18, 1979, in West Frankfort, and he preceded her in death March 5, 2007.
   She is survived by one son, Michael, of Beardstown; one daughter, Jessica (fiance', Timothy Osborne) of Beardstown; four brothers, Alan and Bobby Watson, both of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Ronnie and Donnie Watson, both of West Frankfort; and three sisters, Wanda Lamz and Charlotte Davis, both of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Kathy Kerly of Thompsonville. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Jimmy Watson.
   Mrs. Genseal was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her children, family and friends.
   Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown, with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Beardstown. The family will meet with friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to sagerfh@casscomm.com.

GENSEAL, Michael Joe - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, March 10, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Michael Joe Genseal, 1951-2007, Beardstown
   Michael Joe Genseal, 55, of Beardstown, died Monday evening, March 5, 2007, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.
   He was born April 4, 1951, in Beardstown, the son of Norman "Pete" and Alice McFetridge Genseal. He married Janet Watson on Aug. 18, 1979, in West Frankfort, and she survives.
    He is also survived by his father; one son, Michael Dylan of Beardstown; two daughters, Jessica Genseal (fiancee’, Timothy Osborne) and Mieki Cooper, both of Beardstown; three grandchildren; and one brother, Gregory of Beardstown. He was preceded in death by his mother.
    Mr. Genseal graduated from Beardstown High School in 1969. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After the war, he was employed as a crane operator in mine construction. He enjoyed attending his son’s ballgames and being in the company of friends.
   Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. today at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown, with burial in Veteran’s section at Oak Grove Cemetery in Beardstown. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to sagerfh@casscomm.com.

GENSEAL, Ralph D. "Fritz" - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, April 19, 2003
Ralph D. 'Fritz' Genseal - 1926-2003 - Beardstown
   Ralph D. "Fritz" Genseal, 77, of rural Beardstown, died Thursday evening, April 17, 2003, at his residence.
   He was born Feb., 26, 1926, in Beardstown, the son of Joseph R. and Anna M. Smith Genseal. He married Catherine V. "Kate" Miller Oct. 5, 1947, in Beardstown, and she preceded him in death April 15, 1983. He later married Shirley Stith Schaeffer Aug. 18, 1984, in Beardstown, and she survives.
   He is also survived by one son, Steve (wife, Janet) of Chilicothe; one stepson, Allen (wife, Sharon) Schaeffer of Beardstown; four step-daughters, JoAnn (husband, Frank) Tackett of Pikeville, Ky., Nancy (husband, Paul) Fisher of Louisville, Ky., and Marilyn and Carolyn Schaeffer, both of Beardstown; two grandsons; seven stepgrandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; two brothers Norman "Pete" (wife, Alice) of Beardstown and Richard (wife, Doreen) of Logandale, Nev.; and three sisters, Jean (husband, Dick) Tyson and Kay Genseal, both of Beardstown, and Joan (husband, Bernard) McFetridge of St. Augustine. He was preceded in death by one sister, Patricia Genseal; and two brothers Jack and Joseph Genseal.
Mr. Genseal attended Swan Lake School in the South Beardstown Drainage District and graduated from Beardstown High School in 1943.
   He served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserves for 12 years. He served in World War II from May 1943 until March 1947. He served on various vessels including the S.S. Typhoon, USS Cowpens, USS Murrelet and the USS Sprig. He received campaign ribbons for American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific (four stars), World War II Victory and Good Conduct. He re-entered the U.S. Navy as a reservist and served from 1950-1951 in the Korean Conflict where he received the American Defense medal and the Korean Action medal.
   Upon returning home from military service, Mr. Genseal was employed as a miller at the Beardstown Mill for 12 years until the mill was closed. He then worked for two years for John Dutch in Beardstown where he laid telephone cable for Bell Telephone and from 1967 until retirement in 1987 for Oscar Mayer in Beardstown., He was currently employed with he maintenance department at the Beardstown High School. He was a member of the American Legion Post 605 in Beardstown and a lifetime member of the Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post 1239 in Beardstown. He faithfully attended First United Methodist Church in Beardstown. He enjoyed gardening with his brother-in-law and friend, Glenn Miller, raising watermelon and strawberries and enjoyed sharing their produce with family and friends.
   Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First Untied Methodist Church in Beardstown, with burial at Beardstown City Cemetery. Family will meet friends from 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown. Memorials are suggested to Cass County Visiting Nurses or Cass/Schuyler Area Hospice.

GERDES, C. Stanley - Submitted by Carol Orwig
C. Stanley Gerdes, July 14, 1921-May 19, 2008
   C. Stanley Gerdes, 86, of Petersburg died Monday, May 19, 2008, at 2:45 a.m. at Sunny Acres Home in Petersburg.
    He was born July 14, 1921, in Petersburg to Alfred S. and Maude M. Williamson Gerdes. He married Kathryn Mallergren on May 25, 1951.
   His wife, Kathryn of Petersburg; a sister, Jean Roley of Beardstown; a brother, Kenneth Gerdes of Mount Pulaski; and several nieces and nephews survive him.
   His parents; two brothers; and two sisters preceded him in death.
   Mr. Gerdes graduated from Petersburg Harris High School in 1939 and retired from Gerdes Insurance as an insurance agent. He also worked as a salesman for Coca-Cola and farmed.
   Mr. Gerdes was a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Petersburg, Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Petersburg Rotary Club. He was a member of Clinton Lodge 19 AF&AM and was a Master Mason for 50 years. He was also a member of New Salem Shrine Club and was a founding member of the Lake Petersburg Association.
   Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2008, at Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg. The Rev. Julie Peterson will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 2008, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.
   Memorial contributions may be made to Sunny Acres Home or Central Presbyterian Church and Menard County Rescue Squad.
   Online memorials may be made at www.hurleyfh.com.

GERDES, Carolyn - Cass County Star Gazette, Beardstown, Illinois, June 22, 2006 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Carolyn Gerdes Memorial Services 1928-2005
   Graveside memorial services for Carolyn Herzberger Gerdes will be held at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25, with Rev. Bill Brasell officiating.
The complete obituary ran in the Star-Gazette on June 9, 2005.

GERDES, Robert Scott - Cass County Star-Gazette, Beardstown, Illinois, May 15, 2008 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Robert Scott Gerdes, August 18, 1918-May 12, 2008
   Robert Scott Gerdes, 89, of Virginia and formerly of Petersburg, Jacksonville and Ashland died Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Walker Nursing Home in Virginia.
   He was born August 18, 1918 in Petersburg, the son of Alfred S. and Edith Jean Coulson Gerdes. He married Virginia G. Rees on June 6, 1938 in Michigan and she preceded in death on December 5, 2007.
   He is survived by 10 grandchildren, Jeffrey S. (wife, Stephanie) Meyer of Alpharetta, Georgia, Jay D. (wife, Sandy) Meyer of Gurnee, Joseph G. (wife, Teri) Meyer of Naperville, Jennifer (husband, Travis) Owen of Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, James R. Kelso of Springfield, Gregory C. (fiancé, Lisa Steiner) Kelso of Riverton, Kelvin D. Kelso of Jacksonville, Stephanie A. Darnell of Ashland, William D. (wife, Susan) Kelso of Springfield, and Patrick H. Kelso of Las Vegas, Nevada; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth Gerdes of Chestnut and Stanley (wife, Kay) Gerdes of Petersburg; a sister, Jean Roley of Beardstown; and several nieces and nephews.
   He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Garrett and Rebecca Gerdes, in whose home he was raised following his mother’s death; two daughters, Gloria (surviving husband, William of Pleasant Plains) Kelso and Carol (surviving husband, Sam of Bluffton, South Carolina) Meyer; a grandson, Aaron W. (surviving wife, Kelly of Murfreesboro, Tennessee) Kelso; a brother, Weldon (surviving wife, Ruby of Petersburg) Gerdes; and a sister, Velda Cook.
   Mr. Gerdes was a 1937 graduate of Petersburg-Harris High School. He farmed in Menard County prior to moving to Morgan County in 1951, where he farmed in the rural Alexander area. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Prairieland Heritage Museum.
   Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville with Dr. John Kay officiating. Committal services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday at Oakland Cemetery in Petersburg. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home on West State Street in Jacksonville.
   Memorial gifts are suggested to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or First Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be sent online at www.buchanancody.com.

GERDES, Virginia G. - Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, Illinois, December 7, 2007 - Submitted by Marcia Cox
Virginia G. Gerdes, 87, of Ashland, and formerly of Jacksonville and Petersburg, died Wednesday evening, December 5, 2007 at Barton W. Stone Home in Jacksonville.
   She was born Feb. 5, 1920 in Petersburg, the daughter of Ernest Lee and Dollie McMullin Rees. She married Robert Scott Gerdes on June 6, 1938 in Michigan and he survives.
    She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Jeffrey S, (wife, Stephanie) Meyer of Alpharetta, Ga., Jay D. (wife, Sandy) Meyer of Gurnee, Joseph G. (wife, Teri) Meyer of Naperville, Jennifer (husband, Travis) Owen of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., James R. Kelso of Springfield, Gregory C. Kelso of Rochester, Kelvin D. Kelso of Jacksonville, Aaron W. (wife, Kelly) Kelso of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Stephanie A. Darnell of Ashland, William D. (wife, Susan) Kelso of Springfield and Patrick H. Kelso of Las Vegas; several great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
   She was preceded in death by two daughters, Gloria Kelso (surviving husband, William of Pleasant Plains) and Carol Meyer (surviving husband, Sam of Hilton Head, S.C.); four brothers, Lynn, Oris, James and Ernest "Junior" Rees; and two sisters, Mary Evans and Lorene Johnson.
   A 1938 graduate of Petersburg-Harris High School, Mrs. Gerdes was a longtime farm wife and homemaker. She was a member of the First Presbyterain Church in Jacksonville and the Morgan County Home Extension.
   Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, with burial at Oakland Cemetery in Petersburg. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home on West State Street in Jacksonville. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or First Presbyterian Church. Condolences may left at www.buchanancody.com.

GERMAN, Christian - Jacksonville, July 1858
Four Germans, Henry, Christian German, Daniel Rieser and John Geisel, were drowned at Beardstown, Sat. while bathing.Their bodies were recovered.

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