John J. Gerl
February 7, 2011 — October 30, 2011
John Joseph A�??JohnnyA�?i�� Gerl
Age 91. Passed away peacefully on Sunday October 30, 2011. Born in Joliet on February 7, 1920. John attended St. JosephA�??s Grade School, and was a graduate of Joliet Township High School class of 1938. He was a proud member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. John was a lifetime member of the RivalA�??s Park Athletic Association, and the Will County Old-Timers Baseball Association. John was a United States Army Veteran serving with the 113th Engineers C Company, during World War II. He received the Bronze Star for his bravery and heroism while engaged in action in the Philippine Islands and 3 additional Bronze Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, 3 Overseas Service Bars, and one Service Stripe. He was a life member of V.F.W. Stone City Post #2199. John was also a fast pitch softball standout. He played for various local teams including, the Joliet Rivals Baseball Club, and the esteemed Aurora Sealmasters. In 1977, John was inducted into the Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. During the 1950A�??s the Chicago White Sox offered John a minor league baseball contract. John was the Owner/Operator of Johnny and LouA�??s Tavern for over 40 years.
Preceded in death by his first wife, Bertha (nee Perush) Gerl, parents; John and Mary Gerl, one brother, Edward Gerl; 3 sisters, Marie Wojeski, Bern Kickles, and Dorothy Savich, 2 grandsons; Frank John Rury, and Andrew Scott Taras (in infancy).
Survived by his wife Alene C. (nee Pearcy) Gerl. 2 sons; Andrew (Tania) Taras, John (Ronae) Gerl, 3 daughters; Karen DeBenedetti, Helen (Larry) Setmeyer, Rachelle (Larry) Prodehl; 12 grandchildren, Mario, Dawne, Darin, and Dedra DeBenedetti, Scott and Nicholas Taras, Wally, Andy, and Adam Setmeyer, Jayme Rury, Racheal Todd, and Rebecca Burlingame, Johnny and Haley Gerl, 25 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters; Helen Kachel and Leone Will, and his devoted sister-in-law, Irene Capista. Numerous nieces nephews and cousins also survive.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sunny Hill Nursing Home or Joliet Area Community Hospice, in his name, would be appreciated.
Funeral services for John Joseph Gerl will be held Thursday November 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Joseph Catholic Church Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment with Full Military Honors will be at St. Joseph Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m.