Gerald Curtis
Wood River |
Gerald F. "John" Curtis, 93, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, entered into eternal peace with Jesus Christ, at 8 am on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at his home surrounded by the people he loved.
John was born on February 4, 1916, in Kampsville, IL, the son of C. W. Curtis and Mary Brangenberg Curtis.
He married Anne E. Curtis on June 5, 1948, in Arkansas. His loving wife of 60 years, Anne recently went home to be with the Lord on May 14, 2009.
Survivors include two daughters, Jeanne Lakin of Godfrey, IL, and Geraldine "Gerry" Welker & husband Don Welker of St. Louis; four sons, Bill Curtis of St. Louis, John W. Curtis of Wood River, Jim Curtis of Los Angeles, Calif., and Ken Curtis of Janesville, Wis.; a sister, Mabel Waldheuser of St. Louis; seven grandchildren, Kristopher Thomas Lakin & loving girlfriend, Lindsay Moore, Karey Matthew Lakin, John W. Curtis, Annie Showers-Curtis and Katie Showers-Curtis, and Tim Welker and Tom Welker; and nine great-grandchildren, Amelia, August, and Alijah Curtis, Katelyn, Collin, and Abby Welker, and Rod, Jordyn Annie, and Lawson Welker; special caregivers, Patty Olds and Glenna Honey; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a son, Donald L. "Don" Curtis, a sister Elsie Osterman of Alton, IL, and a brother Harry Curtis of Wentzville, MO.
A member of the Teamsters Union since 1934, John was a truck driver for Rogers Cartage Company of Wood River, IL , retiring in 1982 after 40 years of service. As a teenager, John began his career by hauling apples from Kampsville, IL to St. Louis, Mo. Shortly thereafter, he was employed by Sam Major Transport where his driving took him from coast to coast. John's work ethic proved to be one matched by few. During retirement years, John was an Inventor, spending many hours in his garage where he continually developed new devices to aide he & his wife in their elderly years, always amazing his doctors at Barnes Hospital with his inventions & his desire and zeal for life. He was a very loyal Grandpa and Dad; the anchor of his family.
As a child, John was baptized in the creek of Panther Hollow located in Kampsville, IL. John was a member of Whitelaw Ave. Baptist Church in Wood River, IL. He loved the Lord.
John was a member of the Wood River Masonic Lodge #1062 for over 50 years and also a 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite as well as a Shriner. He was a member of the Ainad Shrine Temple. He took delight in knowing that his grandson, Karey, followed him in Free Masonry.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 4 pm to 8 pm on Sunday, July 12, 2009, at Paynic Home for Funerals in Rosewood Heights, IL with Masonic Rites being performed at 7 pm. Visitation will continue on Monday, July 13, 2009, from 10 am until time of Service at 10:30 am at Paynic Home for Funerals. Pastor Richard Newcom of Whitelaw Ave. Baptist Church and Pastor Andre' Dobson of Calvary Baptist Church in Alton will officiate.
Burial will follow at Woodland Hill cemetery in Wood River, IL.
Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to Whitelaw Ave. Baptist Church, Wood River, IL, or to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children in St. Louis, MO.
John was born on February 4, 1916, in Kampsville, IL, the son of C. W. Curtis and Mary Brangenberg Curtis.
He married Anne E. Curtis on June 5, 1948, in Arkansas. His loving wife of 60 years, Anne recently went home to be with the Lord on May 14, 2009.
Survivors include two daughters, Jeanne Lakin of Godfrey, IL, and Geraldine "Gerry" Welker & husband Don Welker of St. Louis; four sons, Bill Curtis of St. Louis, John W. Curtis of Wood River, Jim Curtis of Los Angeles, Calif., and Ken Curtis of Janesville, Wis.; a sister, Mabel Waldheuser of St. Louis; seven grandchildren, Kristopher Thomas Lakin & loving girlfriend, Lindsay Moore, Karey Matthew Lakin, John W. Curtis, Annie Showers-Curtis and Katie Showers-Curtis, and Tim Welker and Tom Welker; and nine great-grandchildren, Amelia, August, and Alijah Curtis, Katelyn, Collin, and Abby Welker, and Rod, Jordyn Annie, and Lawson Welker; special caregivers, Patty Olds and Glenna Honey; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a son, Donald L. "Don" Curtis, a sister Elsie Osterman of Alton, IL, and a brother Harry Curtis of Wentzville, MO.
A member of the Teamsters Union since 1934, John was a truck driver for Rogers Cartage Company of Wood River, IL , retiring in 1982 after 40 years of service. As a teenager, John began his career by hauling apples from Kampsville, IL to St. Louis, Mo. Shortly thereafter, he was employed by Sam Major Transport where his driving took him from coast to coast. John's work ethic proved to be one matched by few. During retirement years, John was an Inventor, spending many hours in his garage where he continually developed new devices to aide he & his wife in their elderly years, always amazing his doctors at Barnes Hospital with his inventions & his desire and zeal for life. He was a very loyal Grandpa and Dad; the anchor of his family.
As a child, John was baptized in the creek of Panther Hollow located in Kampsville, IL. John was a member of Whitelaw Ave. Baptist Church in Wood River, IL. He loved the Lord.
John was a member of the Wood River Masonic Lodge #1062 for over 50 years and also a 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite as well as a Shriner. He was a member of the Ainad Shrine Temple. He took delight in knowing that his grandson, Karey, followed him in Free Masonry.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 4 pm to 8 pm on Sunday, July 12, 2009, at Paynic Home for Funerals in Rosewood Heights, IL with Masonic Rites being performed at 7 pm. Visitation will continue on Monday, July 13, 2009, from 10 am until time of Service at 10:30 am at Paynic Home for Funerals. Pastor Richard Newcom of Whitelaw Ave. Baptist Church and Pastor Andre' Dobson of Calvary Baptist Church in Alton will officiate.
Burial will follow at Woodland Hill cemetery in Wood River, IL.
Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to Whitelaw Ave. Baptist Church, Wood River, IL, or to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children in St. Louis, MO.
Obit Provided By:
Paynic Home for Funerals
Paynic Home for Funerals
