Delmer 'Del' Gerling

Covington, IN- Delmar "Del" E. Gerling, 87, of Covington, IN passed away at 3:27 AM on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville, IL. He was born on September 10, 1924 in Bloomington, IL to Ernest H. and Emily F. Zook Gerling. He married Deota "Dee" Lee on January 9, 1949 in Normal, IL. She survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Karen Boland of Danville and Christy (Dale) Pennington of Phoenix, AZ; a son, Clay (Bobbye) Gerling of Covington, IN; two sisters, Marilyn Jutkins and Dorothy Bleavins; eight grandchildren, Chad, Justin, and Jeremy Pettit, Jacson Murrone and Tia Brown, Matt and Adam Gerling, and Ashlee Kingston; 19 great-grandchildren; and two special nieces, Dee Anne Meece and Sharon Sheets. He was preceded in death by his parents. After high school, Del served in the United States Air Force during WWII. He was a real estate broker in Covington with Massey Real Estate, as well as a real estate appraiser. Del was also a car salesman, a part-time farmer, and retired from Olin Co. after 32 years of service. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, and was a member of Covington Methodist Church. Del guided his family by the way he lived his life and his greatest joy was being "Papa Del" to his 19 great-grandchildren. A service to celebrate the life of Del Gerling will be held at 11 AM EST on Friday, December 23, 2011 at Sunset's Covington Chapel. Pastor Andy Martin will officiate. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Covington. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Thursday, December 22, also at Sunset in Covington. Memorials may be made to the Covington Community Foundation or to Covington Methodist Church. Please join Del's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.