Mr. Dale Charles Gerstenecker, age 87, of Columbia, Il., died Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the Columbia Convalescent Center in Columbia, Il. He was born January 14, 1927 in Jarvis Township, Madison County, Illinois, son of the late Edward Dewey and Edna LeOpal, nee Stark, Gerstenecker.

He was married April 15, 1950 in Troy, Il., to Lyla Marie, nee Thurnau, who preceded him in death on November 3, 2005. They were married for over 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, Il.

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, Il., Leroy (Michelle) Gerstenecker of Farmington, Mo., Dale M. (Susan) Gerstenecker of Marine, Il., and Darryl (Barbara) Gerstenecker of Columbia, Il. In addition he is survived by eleven grandchildren, Robert (Tamra) Gerstenecker, David (fiance 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. In addition he is survived by several brothers and sisters, Milton (Ethel) Gerstenecker of Edwardsville, Il., Frank (Janet) Gerstenecker of Troy, Mi., Evelyn (Duane) DeCota of Sikeston, Mo., Grace Gerstenecker of Troy, Il., Jane (Robert) Converse also of Troy, Il., and Marjorie Hall of Quincy, Il.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Olive Nungesser of Alhambra, Il., Eleanor Pirok of Highland, Il., Clifford (Betty) Thurnau of Edwardsville, Il., Joan (George) Willaredt of Edwardsville, Il., Robert (Dorothy) Thurnau of St. Jacob, Il., and Warren Thurnau of St. Jacob, Il. He is also survived by his birthday buddy, Sara.

The family has suggested memorial contributions be made to the Dubois Church Camp or the University of Illinois 4-H Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2014 at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Il. Visitation will also be held Saturday, November 15, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville, Il. Funeral Service will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. John UCC in Collinsville, Il., with the Rev. Tony Minear officiating. Burial will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, Il.