Gearl Elwood Greenwalt – Wayne City

Gearl Elwood Greenwalt, 96, a resident of Wayne City, IL passed away at Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon, IL on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Gearl was born on August 12, 1923 in Papertown, IL to his parents Ira and Ethel Greenwalt.  On January 2, 1947 he married Earlene (Pierce) Greenwalt, who survives.

Gearl served in the U.S. Army for 3 years and was stationed in multiple countries in Europe during World War II.  He worked for most of his life as a farmer.  He enjoyed tinkering with things and repairing things.  He enjoyed spending time with friends and drinking coffee at the Knapp Citgo store in Wayne City, where his friends knew him as “Jolly Gearl.”

Gearl is survived by his wife of 72 years Earlene Greenwalt, a daughter Beverly (Rudy) Frisch of Scheller, IL; a son Brad (Nancy) Greenwalt of Keenes, IL; a sister Lena Sledge of Mt. Vernon, IL; 3 grandsons: John Fleener of Mt. Vernon, IL; Rich (Joy) Greenwalt of Johnsonville, IL and Quinton (Tyger) Greenwalt of Keenes, IL; a granddaughter Maranda (Rhett) Sloan of Waltonville, IL; 2 step-granddaughters: Crystal (Greg) Alfeldt of Oakdale, IL and Jennifer (Jesse) Hails of Waltonville, IL; 14 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both parents, a sister Dora Keele, and 5 brothers: Kelly Greenwalt, Bob Greenewalt, Harland Greenwalt, Jeffrey Greenwalt, and Gib Greenwalt.

Graveside funeral services for Gearl Elwood Greenwalt will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Garrison Temple Cemetery near Keenes, IL. Military rites will be performed at the cemetery by the VFW Post 4535 of Fairfield.

Visitation will be held from 5 PM – 8 PM on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at the Young Funeral Home in Wayne City, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Garrison Temple Cemetery Fund, or the Wells Chapel Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at the Young Funeral Home in Wayne City.  Online condolences may be made at www.youngfuneralhomellc.com