Gerald L. Stork

Gerald L. Stork, 90, of Sparta, went peacefully to be with his Lord Jesus Christ Feb. 22, 2016. After celebrating his 90th birthday surrounded by over 80 family members and friends, he joined his wife and son in Heaven.

He was born Jan. 30, 1926, in Walsh, son of the late Lawrence and Hazel Stork (nee Heinz).

He married the love of his life, Cecilia E. Pautler, on Oct. 25, 1947, in Evansville, and he and “Babe,” as he affectionately called her, had celebrated 65 beautiful years of marriage. She preceded him in death on Aug. 5, 2013.

Gerald very proudly served his country as a corporal in the United States Army and was a veteran of World War II.

In addition to farming, Gerald worked more than 30 years at Scott Air Force Base, retiring as a production controller. After retirement, Gerald worked as a security guard at Spartan Printing and as a laborer for Superior Custom Builders and Ron’s Construction.

Gerald was a devout member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sparta; a member of the American Legion Riders Post #396 in Sparta; and the Randolph County Farm Bureau.

Gerald was an amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Everything he did, he did for his family, as they were his top priority. He loved to garden and took pride in providing for his family with wonderful vegetables throughout the years.

Gerald shared a love of Allis Chalmers tractors with his sons and enjoyed discussing farming with family and friends. But above all else, Gerald considered providing for his family his greatest accomplishment.

Gerald was survived by his 10 children, Dennis (Lindaann) Stork of Sparta, Elaine (Fred) Fitzpatrick of Waterloo, David (Mary Beth) Stork of New Lenox, Ronald (Joan) Stork of Sparta, Carol (John) Heizer of Jackson, Joyce (Ralph) Schulein of Sparta, Larry (Brenda) Stork of Sparta, Joni (Chuck) Mraz of Morehead, Ky., Jeanie (Ron) Nagrodski of Johnston City, and Marie Davis (Paul Grohmann) of Waterloo.

He was the proud grandfather of Peter (Emily) Stork, Kelly (Brian) Bode, Kris (fiancé Tim DeWald) Brower, Jayne (Doug) Gum, Dawn (Brett) Ivers, Jackie Stork, David Stork, Laura (Kevin) Terry, Katie (fiancé Jackie Smith) Stork, Becky (Jason) Kempfer, Angie (Eric) Stiegemeyer, Jeremy (Jen) Heizer, Jessica (Rich) Soderlund, Tim (Andrea) Schulein, Nick (Mindy) Stork, Rachel (Tyler) Nowell, Chris (Lais) Stork, Zachary Stork, Elizabeth (Kevin) Hamm, Megan (Kyle) Mann, Ashley (Derek) Solomon,  Kelsie (Dylan Lawrence) Nagrodski, Brittany (Andrew) Phillips, Kendra Davis, Trevor Davis and Maddie Davis.

Gerald also cherished his 35 great-grandchildren: Eleanor Stork; Hayley and Hayden Bode; Keegan (Allie), Korbin, Olivia, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Elijah Brower; Natalie, Norah and Nichole Gum; Jackson and Rylee Ivers; Audrey and Patrick Terry; Adelaide and Lenora Kempfer; Aidan, Owen, Gavin and Louise Stiegemeyer; Liam and Xander Heizer; Jacob, Kaitlyn and Luke Soderlund; Tyler and Evan Schulein; Emma, Jack and Ella Stork; Layla and Luke Nowell; Emma Hamm, and he was expecting a new great-granddaughter, Harper Nichole, any day.

Other survivors include his two sisters, Dorothy (Harold) Braun of Evansville, and Maggie (Merl) Liefer of New Athens, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Our Precious Angel in Heaven, Roger Joseph Stork. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Ralph, Vernon and George.

The family would like to thank Dad’s wonderful caregivers, Kayla Jeffers, Mason “The Boss” Lively, Joanna Lively, Tiffany Lively, Chelsea Presswood and Donna Howard. We would like to thank them for the unbelievable kindness, love and care they showed to Dad. They will always be considered a part of our family. We also would like to thank Dad’s special neighbors, Brad and Patty Cash. Gerald considered you more than just neighbors, he considered you family.

Visitation and a funeral Mass were Feb. 28-29, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Sparta.

Interment followed at St. Pius Catholic Cemetery, Walsh.

Memorials may be made in the form of Masses or to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, St. Louis.

Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Evansville, assisted the family with arrangements.