Celebrating the life of
William Gerken
May 22, 1915 - February 26, 2010
SAVANNAH – William Gerken, 94, died Friday, February 26, 2010, at The Oaks at The Marshes on Skidaway Island.
The native and lifelong resident of Savannah was a graduate of Georgia Teachers College now Georgia Southern University and The University of Missouri at Columbia. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and retired from the Chatham County Board of Education where he taught Shop Class at Richard Arnold High School and later served as Assistant Principal at H.V. Jenkins High School.
Mr. Gerken was a charter member of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. He was a member of Solomon's Lodge # 1, F&AM, the Scottish Rite Consistory, Alee Temple, Past Captain of the Alee Temple Patrol, and the Tybee Light Shrine Club. He was also a member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 184, the VFW, German Heritage Society, German Friendly Society, the German Country Club of Savannah, the Georgia Retired Teachers Association and the National Retired Teachers Association, he was also instrumental in getting local high school students to attend Boy's and Girl's State. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Krenson Gerken and two brothers, Henry Gerken and Nicholas Gerken.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian Gerken of Savannah; sister, Dorothy Stryker of Oradell, NJ; two step-children, Robert Stanley Liss of Bradenton, FL, Carol Liss Olson of Pensacola, FL; nephews, Ronald G. Gerken of Savannah, Henry Gerken of Orlando, FL, Bobby Stryker of Oradell, NJ; nieces, Jeanne Alberino, of Savannah, Anne McKegney of Oradell, NJ; special friends, Steve Ansley, Orin Rusk, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Burial: 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 1, 2010 at Bonaventure Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
The family has requested that remembrances be made to The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 51 Wilmington Island Rd., Savannah, GA 31410.
I remember Mr. Gerken from his Richard Arnold and Jenkins days and recall him fondly. I send my deepest condolences to the family. He was a good man. Connie B Deal
- C. B. Deal, Conway, SC
I remember Mr. Gerken coming over to our store, Phil's Snack Bar, for lunch or so from Chatham Jr. High when I was a child. He was the nicest, kindest man and was always highly regarded in our family. So very sorry to hear of your loss.
- Susan Rahal, Savannah, GA
MR. GERKIN WAS ONE OF MY TEACHERS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I LEARNED A LOT FROM HIM. MR. GERKIN WAS ALSO MY FELLOW LEGIONAIRE AND MEMBER OF 184 AND A PAST COMMANDER AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL.
- Jimmy and Janet smith, savannah, GA
My mother Dorothy, who is 101 next week, is Bills' only remaining sibling. I was born and raised in New Jersesy, but have fond memories of visiting Savannah almost every summer. Uncle Bill wa always so much fun to be with. I stayed with him a few times while in college in Gainesville, GA and probably drove him crazy at age 20. OUr whole family is saddened by the loss of a wonderful man.
- Anne McKegney, River Edge, NJ
Thinking back on my youth, Mr Gerkin was my next door neighbor on the Wilmington River. He had a big impact on the person I am now. He appreciated and taught me about the river, wood working, and countless other things. He sent me to Boy's State in 1980. I fondly remember the many afternoons the two of us spent picking and eating crabs on an old porcelain table on his dock. He would have a beer and I would have a coke in a bottle. No boy could have a better neighbor or friend growing up.
- Robert J DiBenedetto Jr. MD, Greenwood, SC
I remember Mr. Gerken from his Richard Arnold and Jenkins days and recall him fondly. I send my deepest condolences to the family. He was a good man. Connie B Deal
- C. B. Deal, Conway, SC
I remember Mr. Gerken coming over to our store, Phil's Snack Bar, for lunch or so from Chatham Jr. High when I was a child. He was the nicest, kindest man and was always highly regarded in our family. So very sorry to hear of your loss.
- Susan Rahal, Savannah, GA
MR. GERKIN WAS ONE OF MY TEACHERS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I LEARNED A LOT FROM HIM. MR. GERKIN WAS ALSO MY FELLOW LEGIONAIRE AND MEMBER OF 184 AND A PAST COMMANDER AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL.
- Jimmy and Janet smith, savannah, GA
My mother Dorothy, who is 101 next week, is Bills' only remaining sibling. I was born and raised in New Jersesy, but have fond memories of visiting Savannah almost every summer. Uncle Bill wa always so much fun to be with. I stayed with him a few times while in college in Gainesville, GA and probably drove him crazy at age 20. OUr whole family is saddened by the loss of a wonderful man.
- Anne McKegney, River Edge, NJ
Thinking back on my youth, Mr Gerkin was my next door neighbor on the Wilmington River. He had a big impact on the person I am now. He appreciated and taught me about the river, wood working, and countless other things. He sent me to Boy's State in 1980. I fondly remember the many afternoons the two of us spent picking and eating crabs on an old porcelain table on his dock. He would have a beer and I would have a coke in a bottle. No boy could have a better neighbor or friend growing up.
- Robert J DiBenedetto Jr. MD, Greenwood, SC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
