Ferdinand Gehrs Obituary (1923

Ferdinand J. Gehrs, age 84 of Carlyle, died Monday, November 5, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. He was born June 10, 1923 in Carlyle, a son of Herman and Bertha (Lake) Gehrs. He married Mary J. Schaeffer on January 20, 1943 at St. Cecilia's Church in Bartelso, IL. Mr. Gehrs is survived by 5 daughters, Mary Jane (Gerald) Hinders of Eureka, Mo, Ruth Ann Boucher of Alton, IL, Ellen (Chester) Detmer of Carlyle, Diane (Jerry) Emig of Trenton, IL, and Donna Rives and special friend Will Atkins of Trenton; 3 sons, Ron Gehrs of Maryland Heights, Mo, Wayne Gehrs and Randy Gehrs of Carlyle; 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Edith Gehrs of Carlyle and a brother, Paul (Judy) Gehrs of Bethalto, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary J. Gehrs on July 14, 2005; his parents; a son-in-law, Louis Boucher; 2 brothers, Herman Gehrs, Jr. and Charles Gehrs; a sister, Jeanette (Arnold) Grapperhaus; his step mother, Mary S. Gehrs, and a step-brother- Herman Campbell. Mr. Gehrs graduated from Carlyle High School in 1941. In 1943 he entered the U.S. Army and served as a Communication Chief in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theatres. He retired in 1986 from Scott Air Force Base where he worked in the HVAC Dept. He also operated Gehrs Refrigeration for 35 years. He was a member of St. Mary's Church in Carlyle, Past Commander of Catholic War Vets, Marion Post #1780; Former Adjutant in American Legion Post 404; member of VFW Post 3523; Past President of the Clinton County Historical Society; and a member of the Clinton County Amateur Radio Club. For many years Ferd was on the veteran organization's honor detail for graveside honors to veterans. Previous EventsVisitation Thursday, November 8, 2007 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Zieren Funeral Home 1111 Clinton Street Carlyle, IL 62231 Visitation Friday, November 9, 2007 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM Zieren Funeral Home 1111 Clinton Street Carlyle, IL 62231 Mass of Christian Burial Friday, November 9, 2007 11:00 AM St. Mary's Church 1171 Jefferson Street Carlyle, IL 62231