Willard Gerstkemper
Willard Gerstkemper
Willard Paul Gerstkemper, 89, of Hoyleton, passed away at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at his residence.
He was born on August 26, 1926 in Hoyleton the son of Paul and Helen Redeker Gerstkemper. He married Darlene Stiegman on May 22, 1954 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden and she passed away on September 20, 2006.
Also preceding him in death were his parents, a brother; Harlan and wife Hilda Gerstkemper and three brother in laws; Stanley Stiegman, Kenneth Twenhafel and Ralph Johnson.
Left to mourn his passing is a son, Jeffrey Gerstkemper of Hoyleton; a daughter, Amy (Bill) Hafford of Hoyleton; four grandchildren, Chelsey Hafford and fiance’ Will Kellerman of Pinckneyville, Lindsey and Mandey Hafford both of Hoyleton and Tyler (Ali) Hafford of Murray, Ky.; two great-grandchildren, Peyton and Parker Hafford; two sisters, Vera Johnson of Centralia and Doris (Reggie) Weihe of Hoffman; a brother-in-law; Edwin “JR.” (Palma) Stiegman of Nashville; and two sister-in-laws, Carolyn Stiegman of Nashville and Geraldine Twenhafel of New Minden, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.
Willard was a lifelong farmer in the Hoyleton area and an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton where he directed the men’s choir. He was a member and past commander of the Hoyleton American Legion Post and current member of the Hoyleton Lions club. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoyed drinking coffee and Hershey’s chocolate and spending time with his grandchildren and attending their school and sporting events.
Funeral services were held on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton with Rev. Darwin Schrader officiating. Burial wasin the church cemetery with military rites accorded by the Nashville American Legion Post #110.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School.
Styninger Funeral and Cremation Chapel in Hoyleton is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.styningerfuneralhomes.com.
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