Notes:

Individuals: Thoma, James F. - Speculation, Speculation on marriage location.

John married Imhoff, Bertha Louise on 24 May 1939 in St Joseph Catholic Church, Pilot Grove, Cooper, Missouri, USA. Bertha was born on 26 Jul 1916 in Pilot Grove, Cooper, Missouri, USA; died on 13 Oct 2009; was buried after 13 Oct 2009 in St Martin Catholic Church Cemetery, Martinsville, Cooper, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Young, Louise. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Life Event: 1968, Pilot Grove, Cooper, Missouri, USA; Graduated from High School

Notes:

James Louis Gerling
Lathrop - James Louis Gerling, 71, of Lathrop, MO, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at Excelsior Springs Medical Center.
He was born February 2, 1950, in Boonville, son of John Leo and Bertha Louise (Imhoff) Gerling.
On September 28, 1973, in Pilot Grove, he married Martha M. (Reuter).
James was a 1968 graduate of Pilot Grove High School. He earned an Associate's degree from State Fair Community College and attended Southwest Missouri State University. He was a master carpenter and general contractor as owner of M.A.E. Construction.
He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Excelsior Springs. He was a 4th Degree Knight and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
James was a lover of the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting and target practice. He loved to grill and fry and was a lover of country music. Other than his Lord, nothing was as important to him as his family, especially his grandkids.
He had a presence about him that captured the room. With his great story telling ability and gift of memory, he made many friends. In recent years, he enjoyed spending time at the Excelsior Springs Senior Citizen's Center.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Martha, of the home; two sons, Jan-Michael Gerling and his wife, Abby M., of Lathrop, and James "Brent" Gerling and his wife, Theresa, of Liberty; six grandchildren, Isabella Rose, Ava Louise, Ty Louis, Jay Edward, Leo William and Nora Helen; brother, Jerry Gerling and his wife, Lu, of Pilot Grove; sister, Carol Jones and her husband, Chris, of Lenexa, KS; and sister-in-law, Connie Gerling, of Pilot Grove.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jack Gerling and Robert Gerling.
The Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 12, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilot Grove, with visitation to follow until 7:00 p.m. The visitation will conclude with a prayer service.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Mark Smith officiating. Masks are optional, but please be safe.
Casket bearers will be Harold Wessing, Rick Gerling, Ryan Gerling, Michael Gerling, Brian Reuter and Keaton Jones. Honorary bearers will be nieces: Brooke, Nikki, Jenn, Bree, Elyse, Kate, Jill, Kim, Sandy, Stacy and Michelle.
Burial will be in St. Martin's Cemetery.

Notes:

Robert Dale Gerling (1951-2020) passed away Sunday night Nov. 1, 2020 at his home in Blackwater, MO. A celebration of life will be held at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church Saturday Nov 7, 2020 at 1 p.m. with rosary at 11:30 a.m. followed by visitation. Burial will follow service at St. Martin's Cemetery.

Robert was born March 19, 1951 in Boonville, MO, son of John and Bertha Gerling. He married Connie Gerling, daughter of Paul and Dora Schulz, on May 27, 1988. Robert loved his family, especially his seven grandchildren. Every year family gatherings were held that always meant fishing, swimming, BBQ, and board games with Bush Light with the kids after the grandkids went to bed. Holidays were big. Once a farmer, always a farmer. He loved the land and knew who created it. He helped neighbors and neighbors helped him. He collected things: arrowheads, fishing hooks and jigs, and coins from his pocket. He loved 4-point pitch always with women vs. men.

As Robert's disease progressed, he started giving his billfold cash away to his grandkids and later the coins from his pocket. He always showed his rosary to people he saw. He had a routine: coffee, weather on TV, of course Gunsmoke and other TV westerns, road trips, the garden, sitting under the lean to, rides on the 4-wheeler. And when looking for Robert, he was often with the chickens or walking to the mailbox. He lived his life always wanting to do the right thing.

Robert liked church activities, always helping as needed. Yet the most important church ministry he enjoyed was the youth of the parish. Robert helped Connie for years with Vacation Bible School, youth groups, and confirmation. Again, as the disease progressed, he and Connie started visiting the sick, nursing homes and shut-ins with Legion of Mary ministries. His humility, kindness, and interest in others inspired many.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack Gerling, his nephew Greg Gerling, uncles, aunts, and cousins Kyle and Aaron. He is survived by his wife Connie Gerling and children Ryan (Sarah) Gerling, Michael (Jen) Gerling, Paul (Cassie) Bryant, and Jill (Ryan) Kovacs.

Robert accepted his cross from the very beginning and in the end offered his brain to Mayo Clinic Research Center for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia. He joked that the only time he wanted to wear his wedding suit was when he was buried and that happened.

Our family is thankful for the prayers, our relatives and friends, caregivers, Hospice, and those that talked to him and came by the farm showing dignity for his life. We are thankful to Rev. Bill Peckman and Rev Phil Kane for their spiritual support, especially at mass.

Died:
Residence