James Louis Gerling, 71, of Lathrop, MO, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 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 p.m. Sunday, December 12, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilot Grove, with visitation to follow until 7 p.m. The visitation will conclude with a prayer service.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, December 13, 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.
Memorials are suggested to St. Martin’s Cemetery Association or St. Joseph Cemetery Association.
Arrangements are in the care of Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Pilot Grove.