Dale Charles Gerstenecker, 87, of Columbia, died Nov. 11, 2014 in Columbia.

He was born Jan. 14, 1927 in Jarvis Township, son of the late Edward Dewey and Edna LeOpal Gerstenecker, nee Stark.

He was married April 15, 1950 in Troy, to Lyla Marie, nee Thurnau, who preceded him in death on Nov. 3, 2005. They were married for more than 55 years and she was the love of his life.

Mr. Gerstenecker was a grain elevator manager and retired after 25 years with FS. He was a farmer at heart, having raised his four sons on his five-acre farm. He was a member of the Woodcarvers, St. John UCC of Collinsville, School Board Member of Freeburg High School, Freeburg Rotary Club, Life Long 4-H Club Leader, Turkey Hill Grange and St. Paul UCC of Freeburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Edgar (Nell) Gerstenecker; sisters and brothers-in-law, Berniece (Edwin) Heck and Catherine (Clark Lewis) (William) McNivens; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Glenn Hall, Harold (Laurine) Thurnau, Jeanette (Louis) Taylor, Delmar Nungesser, Hank Pirok, and Betty Thurnau.

Mr. Gerstenecker is survived by four sons, Edward (Marilyn) Gerstenecker of Vernon, Leroy (Michelle) Gerstenecker of Farmington, Mo., Dale M. (Susan) Gerstenecker of Marine, and Darryl (Barbara) Gerstenecker of Columbia; eleven grandchildren, Robert (Tamra) Gerstenecker, David (fiancée Chelsey Byers) Gerstenecker, Gregory (Peyton) Gerstenecker, Gail (Brendon) Weidner, Garret (Michaela) Gerstenecker, Gina Gerstenecker, Elyse (Adam) Justice, Kristen Gerstenecker, Nathaniel Gerstenecker, Kara Gerstenecker, and Alyssa Gerstenecker; seven great-grandchildren, Courtney Gerstenecker, Ryan Gerstenecker, Phoebe Gerstenecker, Adina Gerstenecker, Shelby Gerstenecker, Elijah Weidner, and Alexandra Weidner; siblings Milton (Ethel) Gerstenecker of Edwardsville, Frank (Janet) Gerstenecker of Troy, Mich., Evelyn (Duane) DeCota of Sikeston, Mo., Grace Gerstenecker of Troy, Jane (Robert) Converse also of Troy, and Marjorie Hall of Quincy; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Olive Nungesser of Alhambra, Eleanor Pirok of Highland, Clifford (Betty) Thurnau of Edwardsville, Joan (George) Willaredt of Edwardsville, Robert (Dorothy) Thurnau of St. Jacob, and Warren Thurnau of St. Jacob.  He is also survived by his birthday buddy, Sara.

Memorials may be made to the Dubois Church Camp or the University of Illinois 4-H Foundation.

Visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville and 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 15 at St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville.

A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 15 the church.

Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights.