- Date Of Birth: August 18, 1918
- Date Of Death: May 12, 2008
- State: Illinois
Robert Scott Gerdes, 89, of Virginia and formerly of Petersburg, Jacksonville and Ashland died Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Walker Nursing Home in Virginia.
He was born August 18, 1918 in Petersburg, the son of Alfred S. and Edith Jean Coulson Gerdes. He married Virginia G. Rees on June 6, 1938 in Michigan and she preceded in death on December 5, 2007.
He is survived by 10 grandchildren, Jeffrey S. Meyer (wife, Stephanie) of Alpharetta, GA, Jay D. Meyer (wife, Sandy) of Gurnee, Joseph G. Meyer (wife, Teri) of Naperville, Jennifer Owen (husband, Travis) of Ft. Myers Beach, FL, James R. Kelso of Springfield, Gregory C. Kelso (fiance, Lisa Steiner) of Riverton, Kelvin D. Kelso of Jacksonville, Stephanie A. Darnell of Ashland, William D. Kelso (wife, Susan) of Springfield, and Patrick H. Kelso of Las Vegas, NV; several great grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth Gerdes of Chestnut and Stanley Gerdes (wife, Kay) of Petersburg; a sister, Jean Roley of Beardstown; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Garrett and Rebecca Gerdes, in whose home he was raised following his mothers death; two daughters, Gloria Kelso (surviving husband, William of Pleasant Plains) and Carol Meyer (surviving husband, Sam of Bluffton, SC); a grandson, Aaron W. Kelso (surviving wife, Kelly of Murfreesboro, TN); a brother, Weldon Gerdes (surviving wife, Ruby of Petersburg); and a sister, Velda Cook.
Mr. Gerdes was a 1937 graduate of Petersburg-Harris High School. He farmed in Menard County prior to moving to Morgan County in 1951, where he farmed in the rural Alexander area. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Prairieland Heritage Museum.
