Gerald I. Gerig

Dr. Gerald I. Gerig, 91, of Berne passed away Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Swiss Village in Berne. He was born on Monday, April 25, 1927 in Woodburn to Rev. Chris and Rose (Kliewer) Gerig. He was married on August 3, 1951 in Fort Wayne to Coyla Crow.

He was a graduate of Berne High School, and following high school, he served in the U. S. Navy. He spent four years at Fort Wayne Bible College where he received a bachelor in sacred music. Following those four years, he traveled, along with Rev. Robert Magary, in five countries holding meetings for Youth for Christ. When he returned from that trip, he took another year of training at the college and then served as field representative for the college. He later became pastor in Dodge City, Kansas; Missionary churches in Decatur and Berne, served as editor of the Berne Tri-Weekly News and later had a private counseling ministry in an office provided by Dr. Robert Boze. In California, he pastored the Missionary church in Van Nuys and later became the associate and interim pastor of the 10,000 member First Baptist Church of Van Nuys. Upon their return to Berne, he served on the staff of First Missionary Church doing administration and hospital visitation.

He is survived by his son, Kurt (Jo) Gerig of Berne; two daughters, Marcia (Ray) VanGelder of Johns Creek, Georgia; and LuAnn (Dan) Fulton of Huntington; two sisters, Geraldine Gerig of Fort Wayne; and Berdaline Cleveland of Spring Arbor, Michigan; sister in law, Caroline Gerig of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in August 2009; and brother, Dr. Donald Gerig.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 17 at the Swiss Village chapel for the residents and staff and then from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at First Missionary Church. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Friday, January 18 at the church. Officiating will be Rev. Max Haines and Rev. Dathen Foust. Burial will be at MRE Cemetery in Berne

Memorials may be made to Family LifeCare or First Missionary Church - Christian Aid Fund.

Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.