Leo "Muggs" V. Gerling

Leo V. "Muggs" Gerling was born on April 5, 1921, in Germantown, Illinois, a son of Theodore and Christina (Dust) Gerling. He married Grace C. Kannall on April 5, 1951, in Beckemeyer, Illinois and she preceded him in death on January 15, 1986. Mr. Gerling worked as a steeplejack carpenter for 55 years, mostly for Bruemmer Construction Co. until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of Carpenters Local 1851 in Carlyle and Local 480 in Freeburg. Muggs was a platoon sergeant in the U.S. Army Veteran who served in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central European Campaigns during World War II. He earned 4 Bronze Battle Stars, a Silver Star and 2 Purple Hearts for wounds received in Germany in January and February 1945. Muggs was a member of St. Mary's Church in Carlyle, Knights of Columbus Council 1382, Carlyle; Catholic War Veterans Marion Post; American Legion Post 404, Carlyle; and V.F.W. Goldsmith-Terry Post 3523, Carlyle. Mr. Gerling was a member of the Carlyle Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years and he enjoyed woodworking. Leo V. "Muggs" Gerling entered into rest on Monday, November 9, 2009, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. He was 88 years of age. Mr. Gerling is survived by 2 daughters - Marla Hilmes and husband Larry of Carlyle and Mary Faye Vasen and husband Jack of Montgomery, Illinois; 3 grandchildren - Timothy Vasen and wife Emma, Lauren Hilmes and Katelyn Hilmes; a sister-in-law - Adele Gerling of Germantown and a brother-in-law - Virgil Kannall and wife Donna of Scotts Valley, California. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; 2 sisters - Cecelia Lakenburger and husband Al and Eugenia Clark; a brother - Ervin Gerling and a sister-in-law - Faye Keith and husband Leland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at St. Mary's Church in Carlyle with Fr. George Mauck, celebrant. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Zieren Day Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. and on Thursday from 8:00 - 9:30 A.M. The Knights of Columbus will pray the rosary in Mr. Gerling's memory at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday night at St. Mary's Church. Memorials in memory of Mr. Gerling are suggested to St. Mary's Church or to the charity of the donor's choice and will be accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.zierenday.com. Previous EventsVisitation
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Zieren Funeral Home 1111 Clinton Street
Carlyle, IL 62231 Visitation
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Zieren Funeral Home 1111 Clinton Street
Carlyle, IL 62231 Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, November 12, 2009
St. Mary's Church 1171 Jefferson Street
Carlyle, IL 62231