John was born in Bloomington, IL on July 31, 1927 to German immigrant parents, John Sr. and Wilhelminea (Heiden) Gerzen. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lois (Gash) Gerzen in 2012. Together they had 3 children, Debbie and Steve Fala of Baltimore, MD, Jerry and Angie Gerzen of Rocheport, MO, and John B. and Julie Gerzen of Springfield, MO, as well as 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
John was a proud veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He joined the Navy prior to graduation from Normal Community High School in 1945 at age 18. He served at Glenview Naval Air Station as a Fireman 1st Class, stationed in Great Lakes, IL. After serving just short of one year, John was drafted into the Army in 1952. This was after attending Illinois State Normal University and graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education with a minor in Business Administration. He spent 16 months in infantry rifleman training, then 14 months in Korea. While in Korea, John was the Supply Sergeant in the 123rd Combat Engineers, Baker Company, and 45th Infantry Division. After being discharged from the Army, he worked at State Farm Insurance Company from 1954 until his retirement in 1989.
John and Lois loved to travel and camp, seeing all 50 states. They wintered in Texas and loved to shop in Progresso, Mexico. John could be found on the golf course with his State Farm friends, at various auctions around Columbia, and at the Senior Center on Sunday afternoons after attending church at Parkade Baptist Church.
Services with Military Honors will be held Saturday, August 22, 2020 with visitation from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65202. Graveside services will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to: Central Missouri Honor Flight, 1400 Forum Blvd, Suite 7A, Box 334, Columbia, MO 65203, or to Parkade Baptist Church, 2102 N. Garth Ave, Columbia, MO 65202.
