Marion K. Gerling , age 94 of Highland, IL, died Saturday, August 07, 2021, at Stillwater Senior Living in Edwardsville, IL.
She was born on Thursday, December 23, 1926, in San Antonio, TX, the daughter of Rudolph and Marion (nee Everett) Kurz, MD.
On Saturday, March 24, 1951, she married Edwin G. Gerling at First Congregational Church, Highland, who passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2012.
She was a member of First Congregational Church of Highland; Dorcas Fellowship of the church; Silver Creek Chapter of D.A.R. (Past Regent), Friends of Latzer Library; Highland Historical Society; and Madison County Genealogy Society.
Marion was born December 23, 1926, in San Antonio, Texas. She was a graduate of Alton High School, Alton, IL, and received her B.S. from the University of Illinois. Prior to her marriage she had taught in Mt. Vernon and Alton. In 1951, she moved to Highland and married Edwin G. Gerling of Edwardsville. Marion was the grand-daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Everett of Highland. In Highland she taught Physical Education and substituted for over 20 years. Marion loved to play bridge with her bridge club. She was an avid genealogist, having traced many lines of her family back to the 1500’s in Europe. She was a member of the Silver Creek Chapter of the D.A.R. since its founding by her mother, Marion Kurz. She was a member of the First Congregational Church where she was active in the Dorcas Fellowship. Marion was a founding member of the Friends of the Library and long time member of the Highland Historical Society. For over 20 years she was the editor of the Wheelman Newsletter for the Wheelmen, an international antique bicycling club. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends and neighbors.
Survivors include: Son – Bryan E. Gerling, Highland, IL; Son – Robert C. (Debra) Gerling, Guthrie, OK; Daughter – M. Jane (Jeffrey) Johnson, Glen Carbon, IL; Grandchild – Stephanie D. Gerlling, Edmond, OK; Grandchild – Benjamin D. (Marcie) Johnson, Sun Prairie, WI; Grandchild – Rebekah A. (Kent) Lineberry, Hazelwood, MO; Grandchild – Kathleen J. “Katie Jane” Gerling, Lake Oswego, OR; Grandchild – Anna L. (Daniel) Yarger, Glen Carbon, IL; Grandchild – Joseph A. (Tiffaney) Gerling, Tuttle, OK; Grandchild – Susannah L. (Michael) Zentz, Tompson Falls, MT; Great Grandchild – Amelia M. Johnson, Sun Prairie, WI; Great Grandchild – Megan E. Johnson, Sun Prairie, WI; Great Grandchild – Nathaniel J. Johnson, Sun Prairie, WI; Great Grandchild – Rosemary J. Cowin, Hazelwood, MO; Great Grandchild – Natalie C. Cowin, Hazelwood, MO; Great Grandchild – Abigail J. “Abby” Yarger, Glen Carbon, IL; Great Grandchild – Anthony O. Yarger, Glen Carbon, IL; Great Grandchild – Madeline K. Lineberry, Hazelwood, MO; Great Grandchild – James K. Lineberry, Hazelwood, MO; Great Grandchild – Railee A. Oxton, Tuttle, OK; Great Grandchild – Rowan E. Gerling (due within 2 weeks), Tuttle, OK; Great Grandchild – Locke A. Zentz, Thompson Falls, MT; Great Grandchild – Cosette R. Zentz, Thompson Falls, MT.
She was preceded in death by: Father – Rudolph Ferdinand Kurz, MD – Died 08/25/73; Mother – Marion Ives Kurz – Died 07/04/1995; Husband – Edwin Gene Gerling – Died 01/26/2012; Brother – Robert John Kurz – Died @ age 5 months-06/05/1930.
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at First Congregational Church, Highland, IL.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at First Congregational Church, Highland, IL, Pastor Richard Cook, officiating.
Interment will be at Highland City Cemetery in Highland, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dorcas Fellowship of First Congregational Church; Friends of Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library; or Latzer Homestead.
