- Visitation
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Meyer Funeral Home
Lebanon, IL
- Service
Thursday, October 9, 2008
10:00 A.M.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Lebanon, IL
- Full Obituary
Tom W. Gerstenecker, Sr., MSgt., USAF, Ret'd, 76, of Lebanon, IL died October 3, 2008, at his residence with his wife and family at his bedside.
He was born November 1, 1931 to Wilbur and Marguerite (Bachman) Gerstenecker, and they are deceased, also deceased is a son Tom W. Gerstenecker, Jr.
Survivors include his wife Velda J. (Prince) Gerstenecker of Lebanon, IL; a son Scott (Shalya) Gerstenecker of Lake St. Louis, MO, a daughter Cynthia Garcia, HIghland, IL; nine grandchildren, Monica, Richard, Katrina and Andreas Garcia, Danielle and Andrew Gerstenecker, Taylor, Elise and Anna Gerstenecker and three Great Grandchildren, David and Jessica Piper and Kyron Simon.
Mr. Gerstenecker retired in 1971, after 20 years in the Air Force and served his country during the Korean and Vietman Conflicts, where he earned the Bronze Star Medal. Other decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Medal, Air Force good conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Japanese Occupation Medal.
He earned his Bachelors degree from McKendree College, Leganon, IL and his Masters from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL. Mr. Gerstenecker retired from the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment Service as Assistant State Director for Southern Illinois.
Tom loved the outdoors which lead him to become an avid pheasant hunter and boater on the Mississippi River with family and friends. During his retirement he and Velda enjoyed 17 years of motor homing throughout the U.S. and Canada.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon and was a past president of the Lebanon Lions club. He held many positions at the American Legion Post 58, Belleville; where he was presented with a Life Membership to the American Legion by the Post. He was a member of the 40 and 8 Veterans organization, the St. Clair County Veterans Assistance Commission for a number of years. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Organization. Tom also volunteered many hours at the Scott AFB hospital and the SCott AFB Retired Activities office.
Visitation: Wednesday, 10/8/2008 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, 10/9/2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL with Fr. Gene Neff, officiating.
Burial: College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, IL with full Military Honors.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association or St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lebanon, IL.
Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
