Edward Bernard Gerling

Edward Bernard Gerling, aged 92, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Monday, January 19, 2015, at the University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. He was born to Louis Gerling and Veronica (Bax) Gerling on January 4, 1923, in Mary's Home, Mo. Ed married Hazel M. Gilmore in Jefferson City, Mo. on December 14, 1946. They remained married until her death on April 11, 1998. A veteran of World War II and Korea, Ed served as a Staff Sergeant and commanded a tank platoon during the campaigns of Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno. Ed was in the second tank to enter Rome. He earned four Bronze Stars in combat. He spent nearly his entire career at Schell & Ward, a store specializing in shoes and ladies apparel formerly located on High Street in Jefferson City, first as a salesman and later as a managing partner. He retired after 35 years in 1986. An avid golfer since his youth, Ed was a founding member of Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in New Bloomfield, Mo., and continued to play, and score his age, until his late 80s. Ed was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Roy Sone Post 1003; the Fifth Army Assn.; and the Downtown Merchants Assn. Ed was a lifelong Roman Catholic and a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish. He was a strong supporter of many charities, particularly the Samaritan Center Interfaith Agency in Jefferson City. Survivors include: one daughter, Linda Esser (husband Dan) of Columbia; two grandchildren, Mark Esser and Katie Esser; one great-grandchild, Mercy Ortega; and five sisters, Dorothy Neeley of Jefferson City; Mildred "Millie" Beauchamp of Mexico, Mo.; Lucille (Gus) Lock, Margie Pfenenger of Jefferson City; and Janie (Ralph) Lock of Owensville; and one brother-in-law, John Buckley of O'Fallon. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ted, Leon, Leroy, and Norbert Gerling; and one sister, Norma (Gerling) Buckley. Visitation will be held from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Church with the Reverend Monsignor Michael Flanagan officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Jefferson City Samaritan Center. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com