John Marshal Gerl, age 70, passed away peacefully and surrounded by immediate family on Monday, April 26, 2021 at Agrace HospiceCare after a courageous battle with metastatic lung cancer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis. on July 24, 1950, to Albert Gerl Sr. and Virginia (Northcutt) Gerl, but spent most of his life in the Madison area. He was "John" to his wife, "Johnny" to many family and friends, "Dad" to his children, "Pappy" to his grandchildren and beloved to almost all who knew him.
After graduating high school from La Folette, John attended UW-Stevens Point for two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for two years as a field radio operator, achieving the rank of Corporal (E-4), Marine of the Month, Honorable Discharge and Meritorious Mast for his dedicated service to his country. He met Sharon Krantz prior to serving, fell in love and they married June 16, 1973 after he returned home from his service. Together they raised two children, Sarah and Zachary and in his later years enjoyed two grandchildren. He worked many jobs, including his very first at the A&W root beer stand in Monona where he met his wife. He worked longest at Datex Ohmeda (GE Healthcare), also serving as union representative and making lives better for workers with his strong negotiation skills. He spent much of his life working two jobs to make sure his family had everything they needed. He developed so many friendships along the way.
John was a very special kind of person with amazing inner strength, endeared to almost all who met him. He worked hard and played hard. He could light up a room, bring comfort, calm you, give you the shirt off his back, make you laugh, even make you mad at times with his stubborn nature. He had more common sense and insight than almost anyone. He loved fishing, hunting, spending time with friends and family and in his later years, just enjoying nature - watching deer, birds, rabbits and any of God's other creatures. He wanted only love and joy in life, never possessions and was always generous with his time and money. If he received something, he wanted to share it with others.
He is survived in death by his loving family, including his wife, Sharon; daughter, Sarah (Eric) Marcoe; son, Zachary; grandchildren, Emerson and Ellery; brothers, Albert Jr. and Brian; sister, Jennifer; dog, Gilligan; and many, many friends and relatives.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Anthony and Michael; nephew, Scott; and niece Yvette.
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation
After graduating high school from La Folette, John attended UW-Stevens Point for two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for two years as a field radio operator, achieving the rank of Corporal (E-4), Marine of the Month, Honorable Discharge and Meritorious Mast for his dedicated service to his country. He met Sharon Krantz prior to serving, fell in love and they married June 16, 1973 after he returned home from his service. Together they raised two children, Sarah and Zachary and in his later years enjoyed two grandchildren. He worked many jobs, including his very first at the A&W root beer stand in Monona where he met his wife. He worked longest at Datex Ohmeda (GE Healthcare), also serving as union representative and making lives better for workers with his strong negotiation skills. He spent much of his life working two jobs to make sure his family had everything they needed. He developed so many friendships along the way.
John was a very special kind of person with amazing inner strength, endeared to almost all who met him. He worked hard and played hard. He could light up a room, bring comfort, calm you, give you the shirt off his back, make you laugh, even make you mad at times with his stubborn nature. He had more common sense and insight than almost anyone. He loved fishing, hunting, spending time with friends and family and in his later years, just enjoying nature - watching deer, birds, rabbits and any of God's other creatures. He wanted only love and joy in life, never possessions and was always generous with his time and money. If he received something, he wanted to share it with others.
He is survived in death by his loving family, including his wife, Sharon; daughter, Sarah (Eric) Marcoe; son, Zachary; grandchildren, Emerson and Ellery; brothers, Albert Jr. and Brian; sister, Jennifer; dog, Gilligan; and many, many friends and relatives.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Anthony and Michael; nephew, Scott; and niece Yvette.
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation
John Marshal Gerl, age 70, passed away peacefully and surrounded by immediate family on Monday, April 26, 2021 at Agrace HospiceCare after a courageous battle with metastatic lung cancer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis. on July 24, 1950, to Albert Gerl Sr. and Virginia (Northcutt) Gerl, but spent most of his life in the Madison area. He was "John" to his wife, "Johnny" to many family and friends, "Dad" to his children, "Pappy" to his grandchildren and beloved to almost all who knew him.
After graduating high school from La Folette, John attended UW-Stevens Point for two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for two years as a field radio operator, achieving the rank of Corporal (E-4), Marine of the Month, Honorable Discharge and Meritorious Mast for his dedicated service to his country. He met Sharon Krantz prior to serving, fell in love and they married June 16, 1973 after he returned home from his service. Together they raised two children, Sarah and Zachary and in his later years enjoyed two grandchildren. He worked many jobs, including his very first at the A&W root beer stand in Monona where he met his wife. He worked longest at Datex Ohmeda (GE Healthcare), also serving as union representative and making lives better for workers with his strong negotiation skills. He spent much of his life working two jobs to make sure his family had everything they needed. He developed so many friendships along the way.
John was a very special kind of person with amazing inner strength, endeared to almost all who met him. He worked hard and played hard. He could light up a room, bring comfort, calm you, give you the shirt off his back, make you laugh, even make you mad at times with his stubborn nature. He had more common sense and insight than almost anyone. He loved fishing, hunting, spending time with friends and family and in his later years, just enjoying nature - watching deer, birds, rabbits and any of God's other creatures. He wanted only love and joy in life, never possessions and was always generous with his time and money. If he received something, he wanted to share it with others.
He is survived in death by his loving family, including his wife, Sharon; daughter, Sarah (Eric) Marcoe; son, Zachary; grandchildren, Emerson and Ellery; brothers, Albert Jr. and Brian; sister, Jennifer; dog, Gilligan; and many, many friends and relatives.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Anthony and Michael; nephew, Scott; and niece Yvette.
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation
After graduating high school from La Folette, John attended UW-Stevens Point for two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for two years as a field radio operator, achieving the rank of Corporal (E-4), Marine of the Month, Honorable Discharge and Meritorious Mast for his dedicated service to his country. He met Sharon Krantz prior to serving, fell in love and they married June 16, 1973 after he returned home from his service. Together they raised two children, Sarah and Zachary and in his later years enjoyed two grandchildren. He worked many jobs, including his very first at the A&W root beer stand in Monona where he met his wife. He worked longest at Datex Ohmeda (GE Healthcare), also serving as union representative and making lives better for workers with his strong negotiation skills. He spent much of his life working two jobs to make sure his family had everything they needed. He developed so many friendships along the way.
John was a very special kind of person with amazing inner strength, endeared to almost all who met him. He worked hard and played hard. He could light up a room, bring comfort, calm you, give you the shirt off his back, make you laugh, even make you mad at times with his stubborn nature. He had more common sense and insight than almost anyone. He loved fishing, hunting, spending time with friends and family and in his later years, just enjoying nature - watching deer, birds, rabbits and any of God's other creatures. He wanted only love and joy in life, never possessions and was always generous with his time and money. If he received something, he wanted to share it with others.
He is survived in death by his loving family, including his wife, Sharon; daughter, Sarah (Eric) Marcoe; son, Zachary; grandchildren, Emerson and Ellery; brothers, Albert Jr. and Brian; sister, Jennifer; dog, Gilligan; and many, many friends and relatives.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Anthony and Michael; nephew, Scott; and niece Yvette.
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation
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