Julia “Julie” Gehrs, nee Bedwell, 70, of Belleville, IL, born January 23, 1956, in East St. Louis, IL, died Saturday, August 15, 2026, in St. Louis, MO.
Julie never met a stranger. Greeting everyone with the biggest smile at church, at a party, across the card table, and especially in her home. She spent her life devoted to her family and community. Whether you saw her car hopping as a teenager at her dad’s root beer stand, or you were seated at her kitchen table, you knew Julie was taking care of you. She managed her husband’s dental practice (and his sanity) for thirty-six years, and somehow managed to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. Everyone was welcome at Julie’s, and she always had time for whatever her kids, their schools, or their friends needed. She was everything to her family and her family was everything to her. It is only fitting that the Lord called her on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
Julie was a devoted lifelong member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister there for many years. She was also a member of the Junior Service Club of St. Clair County. She took pride in raising her children and sharing countless memories with them. Julie’s joy in life only grew when she became Juju to her five grandchildren.
Julie was preceded in death by her father, James W. Bedwell, Jr.; her mother-in-law, Mary Ann Gehrs; and a sister-in-law, Lynne Bedwell.
She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Dr. James “Jim” Gehrs, Jr., whom she married on June 29, 1979; two sons, James L. (Lauren Choate) Gehrs II, and Benjamin Gehrs; one daughter, Meghan (Keith) Dalton; five grandchildren, James B., Peter, Lucy, Helen, and Gwendolyn; her mother, Gloria Bedwell, nee Cermak; three brothers, James W. Bedwell III, Kirk E. Bedwell, and Tony S. (Vicki) Bedwell; one sister, Karen Fitzgerald (Art Voellinger); her father-in-law, James B. Gehrs; two sisters-in-law, Wendy (Dave) Raetz and Cindy (Leonard) Klein; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to advance patient care initiatives at Siteman Cancer Center, MSC 1082-414-2555, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105. Please indicate that the gift is in memory of Julie Gehrs by writing the following memo on your check – IMO Julie Gehrs (GF0004976 Siteman Cancer Center-Patient Care Fund). You can also give online at https://siteman.donordrive.com/campaigns/Julie-Gehrs. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday August 22, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday August 22, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Clyde Grogan officiating.
Burial will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
