Gerald "Jerry" Gehlbach Obituary (1941 - 2023)

Gerald "Jerry" Gehlbach, 81, of Lincoln, Illinois passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Vonderlieth Living Center in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois. Jerry was born at St. John Evangelical Deaconess Hospital on May 23, 1941, in Lincoln, Illinois, the son of Albert and Iola (Garton) Gehlbach. During his sophomore year at the University of Illinois, he met his life partner Nancy Lawrence on a blind date. Their relationship survived a failed and injurious attempt to impress Nancy on ice skates, and they married on August 11, 1962, in Hinsdale, Illinois. They had two sons: Scott Gehlbach (Maria Belodubrovskaya) and Brian Gehlbach (Krista Johnson). Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Iola Gehlbach. He is survived by his wife and sons; brother Donald Gehlbach (Ann Gehlbach); grandchildren Emma Gehlbach, Jacob Gehlbach, and Adrian Gehlbach; nephew Chad Gehlbach (Michele Dupre); niece Jody Agnacian (George Agnacian); great niece Lily Agnacian; and great nephew Charlie Agnacian. Jerry graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and an M.S. in Animal Science. At Illinois, he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, where he found a set of lifelong friends. Following university, he returned home to Gehlbach Pork Farms to work with his father and brother. Albert was an innovator in the industry, a tradition that Jerry continued in subsequent decades, including when the home operation divided into two, with Jerry at the helm of what became Heritage Pork Farm. When not working on the farm, Jerry was frequently found in his home office, which he shared with Nancy, and was active in the Logan County Pork Producers and the Illinois Pork Council. Scott and Brian were born in the late 1960s, with astronauts on the moon in the last days of Nancy's pregnancy with Brian. After a flirtation with horses, Jerry and Nancy eventually settled on boating as a hobby. Many a summer weekend was spent with Jerry piloting the boat as Nancy and the boys skied behind. Jerry and Nancy also loved to travel, even bringing their boys along on two European tours, and in their retirement years especially they saw much of the world. Sarasota, Florida was a much-loved destination for the family, with many good times spent walking on the beach, dining out, and playing miniature golf. Often Nancy's mother accompanied them on trips--just one indication of the kindness Jerry showed to his and Nancy's parents. Jerry liked to be busy and enjoyed using the many skills he developed on the farm, whether he was serving as church council president, replacing floors at the parsonage, installing a grab bar for Nancy's mom, or helping his kids with their own home projects (including the construction of multiple raised bed gardens built to defend against any and all wildlife). He was one of the organizers of the United Church of Christ Germanfest and loved watching other people have a good time. He also had a soft spot for babies and small children; he was known by his family as the "baby whisperer." In his last years, Jerry lived with dementia, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he and Nancy weathered at their rural home. He spent his final months at the H. and J. Vonderlieth Living Center. His family is grateful to the staff at Vonderlieth for their expert and gentle care during this time. Services for Jerry will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln, Illinois. An evening visitation will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 13, 2023, at the same location. An additional hour of visitation will take place prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will follow the services at New Union Cemetery in Lincoln, Illinois. Face masks are encouraged for both visitation and service. Memorial donations may be made in Jerry's name to St. John United Church of Christ at 204 7th Street, Lincoln, Illinois 62656; the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/; or the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho (Scholarship Funds) at https://www.alphagammarho.org/donate. Services have been entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Homes, Lincoln.