Joey F. Gehrls, 96, of Durant, passed away Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.
Joey was born in Cedar County on March 6, 1922, to Joseph and Lena (Meier) Gehrls. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Joey married Erna M. Martz Neumann on Aug. 12, 1989, in Durant. She preceded him in death on Nov. 27, 2002.
Joey farmed in Cedar County, with his brother Raymond on what is now a century farm. He was a member of the Wilton Masonic Lodge #167 AF & AM, Kaaba Shrine and the Davenport Consistory. He was loyal member of the Durant Casey’s Coffee Club, where he loved visiting with his buddies. He was member of the former Durant Lions Club, an honorary member of the Durant Lioness and a former member of the Durant Community Center Board.
He served on the Durant City Council for six years, the Durant Park Board and Durant Trees Forever. He was an avid philanthropist, master woodworker and supporter of the Durant Community.
A Masonic service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Bentley Funeral Home in Durant.
A sharing of memories will be held at 7 p.m. after visitation.
Private family graveside services with military honors will be held on Friday at the Durant Cemetery.
Joey is survived by his nieces: Karolyn (Donn) Kleppe of Tipton, Belva (Duffy) Schamberger of Marion and Judy (Ron) Bierkamp of Durant, nephews: Lowell Gehrls of DeWitt, Leon (Mary Kae) Schnack of Port Orange, Fla., Randall (Janet) Gehrls of New Liberty, and LaVonne (and the late Don) Gehrls of Bartonville, Ill.; and step-children: Teresa (Jerry) Clark of Davenport, Gary (Vicki) Neumann of Durant, and Kevin Neumann of Stockton, four step-grandchildren and eight step-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister Leona Schnack and brothers: Eldie, Elmer and Raymond Gehrls.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Durant Lioness or the Wilton Masonic Lodge.
Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
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