Barbara J. Gerk's Obituary
Decatur-Barbara Jean Gerk, 76, of Decatur, “took Jesus hand and she was lead onto Heaven” 10:44 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2009 at Decatur Memorial Hospital, peacefully after a long battle with cancer, surrounded closely by loving family and church family. We have another Angel in Heaven to watch over us.
Services to celebrate Barbara’s life will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the 2nd Church of God, 2670 E. Division, Decatur, with Pastors Mike Pritts and Larry Flaugher officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
Interment with “Flight Home” Ceremony will be in Graceland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the 2nd Church of God. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with these arrangements. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Barbara was born September 20, 1932 in Los Angeles, California the daughter of Ruth (Wall) Pitts. She retired from General Electric where she was a final tester. She was a member of the 2nd Church of God where she was a Sunday School Teacher, Jr. Church Leader, and President of the local chapter of WCSC. She was a member of TOPS. Barbara enjoyed crocheting, quilting, photography, cooking and computers, especially computer Bingo. She has three sons and one daughter-in-law that have proudly served their country. Three of them have retired from the military and the last one will too. She married Thomas G. Gerk July 30, 1960 in Los Angeles, California.
She leaves behind Thomas her beloved husband of over forty-eight years, sons; Jack Pike, Randy Pike and wife Monee, Thomas Gerk and wife Ronda, and Robert Gerk and wife Lisa, daughter; Debra Ellegood and husband Dave, brothers; Lonnie and Edward Pitts, sisters; Mary June Joslin and Janice Walters, grandchildren; Brad and Brian Pike, Anna Sanders and husband Roy, Chad Ellegood and wife Jenny, Thomas Gerk and Ashley Cox, Ashlee, Alexa, and Robert Gerk, and Danell Kreps, great-grandchildren; Canada, Roy IV, William, and Emily Sanders, and Finn Ellegood, sister-in-law Anna Blackwell and husband Doyle, nephews; Jim and wife Donna and Eric and wife Mikki Blackwell, and great-nephew Kyle Blackwell, and great-nieces; Teresa and Katie Blackwell.
She was reunited in heaven with her sister Eleanor, loving mother Ruth, sister Elaine, and Tommy Morrissey.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Velasco, Dr. Guaglianone, and all of the nurses and staff at Cancer Care Associates of Central Illinois, the nurses and staff on the 5th floor at DMH, the nurses and staff at DMH Hospice, and her church family for all of their loving care.
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