Mr. Gerling worked as a stove mounter for Eagle Range and Manufacturing and then at The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows before his retirement. He was a U.S. Army veteran, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Joseph was a devout member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, belonged to the Holy Name Society, and volunteered with the work crew at the church. He made and delivered soup to the home-bound and volunteered at the Community Interfaith Food Pantry. He was an avid gardener and always found a repair job to work on.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Margaret, nee Schleper, Gerling; and two grandsons, Phillip Eterno and Joey Gerling.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Mildred, nee Miller, Gerling, whom he married on February 11, 1956;
four children, Teresa Hosey, Robert Gerling, Patricia (Rob) Eterno, and Rita Davis;
four grandchildren, Craig (Jenni) Hosey, Michelle Hosey, Alex Eterno, and John Eterno;
five great-grandchildren;
and three great-great grandchildren.
Memorials are appreciated by the family and may be made directly to the Community Interfaith Food Pantry, 1218 West Main Street, Belleville, IL 62220, or to St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 301 North Church Street, Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Eugene Neff officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.