1940
Fred
2024
Martin Frederick Geerlings
May 16, 1940 — May 10, 2024
Vandalia
Martin "Fred" Geerlings, age 83, of Vandalia Missouri, passed away on Friday, May10, 2024, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis Missouri.
A Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 18. 2024 at the First Baptist Church, Vandalia Missouri. Pastor Brian Lehenbauer will officiate.
A visitation celebrating Fred's life will be held at 9:00 am until the time of service.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Waters Funeral Home.
Fred was born May 16, 1940 on the family farm north of Callao, Missouri, to Henry Lambert Geerlings and Inize Lee Adams Geerlings. He graduated High School in 1957 at Callao, Mo and attended one year of college at University of Missouri-Columbia. There he met his wife, Sharon Marie Gore.
In 1960, he enlisted in the Air Force and served 20 years, retiring as Master Sergeant E7. He was stationed at nine locations in the US, one of them twice and two overseas; Germany and Iceland. Highlights of his career: walking in the Northern Lights when stationed 35 miles south of the Arctic circle and watching a glacier in Iceland move soil that was in front of it. He also received a personal letter from then President Carter due to a suggestion of his being used by the federal government that saved a large sum of money. Fred earned the following medals and commendations during his career: Air Force Commendation medal, small arms expert marksmanship ribbon, NCO Academy ribbon, Army good conduct medal, Air Force good conduct medal, Air Force longevity service award and the National Defense service medal. Fred was also recognized as a ground radar superintendent
After retiring to Vandalia, Mo, Fred worked in a variety of employment: brick refractory, Vandalia water plant, and at the University of Missouri.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Elizabeth, John, Mina Weil, George, and Lee, and daughter-in-law Bobby. He leaves behind his wife Sharon, daughter Stacey Conrad (Ben), son Michael Geerlings. Siblings Ettie Alice Miles (Bob), Katie Graham, and Lambert Geerlings. Grandchildren: Joshua (Alycia), Rachel, Sean, and Krissy. Nieces and nephews: Darlene Weil Green, Ann Geerlings Smith (Todd), Danny Miles, Alan Miles, Kelly Graham Abraham (Steven), Judy Miles Greener (Joel), Matthew Geerlings, great nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon's, First Baptist Church or the Vandalia YMCA , in care of Waters Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Martin memorial page at www.watersfuneral.com
A Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 18. 2024 at the First Baptist Church, Vandalia Missouri. Pastor Brian Lehenbauer will officiate.
A visitation celebrating Fred's life will be held at 9:00 am until the time of service.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Waters Funeral Home.
Fred was born May 16, 1940 on the family farm north of Callao, Missouri, to Henry Lambert Geerlings and Inize Lee Adams Geerlings. He graduated High School in 1957 at Callao, Mo and attended one year of college at University of Missouri-Columbia. There he met his wife, Sharon Marie Gore.
In 1960, he enlisted in the Air Force and served 20 years, retiring as Master Sergeant E7. He was stationed at nine locations in the US, one of them twice and two overseas; Germany and Iceland. Highlights of his career: walking in the Northern Lights when stationed 35 miles south of the Arctic circle and watching a glacier in Iceland move soil that was in front of it. He also received a personal letter from then President Carter due to a suggestion of his being used by the federal government that saved a large sum of money. Fred earned the following medals and commendations during his career: Air Force Commendation medal, small arms expert marksmanship ribbon, NCO Academy ribbon, Army good conduct medal, Air Force good conduct medal, Air Force longevity service award and the National Defense service medal. Fred was also recognized as a ground radar superintendent
After retiring to Vandalia, Mo, Fred worked in a variety of employment: brick refractory, Vandalia water plant, and at the University of Missouri.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Elizabeth, John, Mina Weil, George, and Lee, and daughter-in-law Bobby. He leaves behind his wife Sharon, daughter Stacey Conrad (Ben), son Michael Geerlings. Siblings Ettie Alice Miles (Bob), Katie Graham, and Lambert Geerlings. Grandchildren: Joshua (Alycia), Rachel, Sean, and Krissy. Nieces and nephews: Darlene Weil Green, Ann Geerlings Smith (Todd), Danny Miles, Alan Miles, Kelly Graham Abraham (Steven), Judy Miles Greener (Joel), Matthew Geerlings, great nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon's, First Baptist Church or the Vandalia YMCA , in care of Waters Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Martin memorial page at www.watersfuneral.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martin Frederick Geerlings, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, May 18, 2024
9:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
First Baptist Church
Memorial Service
Saturday, May 18, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
First Baptist Church
Guestbook
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