Jerry Gesell, 73, of Middleburg, Florida, formerly of Farina, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Kell, Illinois.
He was born in Vandalia, Illinois on January 31, 1951, the son of Lawrence and Dorothy (Bollhorst) Gesell.
On August 15, 1970, in Farina, Illinois, he married Catherine Gross and she survives in Florida.
In addition to his wife Cathy of 54 years, he is survived by two sons, Jerry Gesell, Jr. (wife Mary) and Timothy Gesell (wife Jennifer), both of Middleburg, Florida; a sister, Judy Mahon (husband Jack) of Salem; a brother, John Gesell (wife Christy) of Farina; grandchildren, Erin Gesell and Jacob Gesell both of Middleburg, Florida and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Dorothy Gesell and a granddaughter, Britany Gibbons.
Jerry served in the National Guard. He became ordained as a minister in 1979 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Salem and served for 22 years as a missionary in various places including Panama, India, Haiti, and the United States Indian Reservations. He was a former pastor at Farina United Church Of Christ and was currently a member at the New River Baptist Church in Brooker, Florida. He was very proud of his family. He cherished the time he spent with them.
A Celebration of Life Service for Jerry will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 4:00 pm at the Farina United Church Of Christ in Farina, Illinois. Memorial Donations may be made to the New River Baptist Church Panama Missions Fund and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, which is honored to be of service to Jerry’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.
