Homer Gene Gurtler

He was born on October 27, 1924 in Summerfield, Kansas, to Charles F. and Pearl (Anderson) Gurtler. He married Barbara Bitting on July 3, 1954 at First United Methodist Church in Peoria, IL. She survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Karen May (Pete), of St. Louis Park, MN, his son, Gary Gurtler of Lakewood, CO, granddaughter Julie May (Riley McNutt) of Minneapolis, MN, grandson Zachary May (Laura Lenius) of St. Louis Park, MN, great granddaughter Kennedy Marie May, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his sisters, Virginia Loebeck (Robert), Mildred Moseley (Eugene) and his brother Charles A. Gurtler (Pat Brainard).

Homer graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He went to work for Caterpillar Tractor, Co. in 1953, retiring in 1988. For many years he was a Service Representative, first in North and South Carolina and Georgia and then in New York State, Vermont and New Hampshire. He also spent time as Service Representative on the Ohio Turnpike and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Project. After returning to Peoria in 1965, he worked in Service and Marketing. He was a long time member of University United Methodist Church in Peoria, where he was usher captain for many years. He delivered Meals on Wheels and drove for the Red Cross. Homer loved to travel, play tennis, camp, hike, and garden. Homer was a member of the Highpointers Club and visited the high points of 41 states.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at University United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the church. Cremation rites will be immediate.

Memorial gifts may be made to University United Methodist Church, 2818 N. University, Peoria, Illinois 61604; and American Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Davison-Fulton.com for the Gurtler family.