COLUMBIA - A Celebration of Life service for Gilbert R. Gredler, 92, will be held at 3:45 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Rutledge Chapel, USC Horseshoe. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2017 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. A private burial will be in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Mr. Gredler passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017. Born in East Bridgewater, Mass., he was a son of the late Frank and Hazel Rogers Gredler. He was the middle of three brothers, preceded by Charles, followed by David. Gilbert referred to himself as a “PK,” a preacher’s kid, since both his mother and father were Unitarian ministers. Gilbert served in World War II as an American Field Service ambulance driver attached to the 8th British Army. While most of that time was passed in Italy, he found himself camped 100 feet from the Taj Mahal in India at the end of the war. He never regained a taste for hot tea or curry. Gilbert found that work was very important, and always strived to give it his best. He had experience as a school psychologist in Canton, Ohio and Atlanta, Ga. before becoming a college professor at Temple University and then the University of South Carolina. His practical experience with the children and their parents gave him a special talent in teaching others how to apply the textbook knowledge to practical situations. Gilbert not only recognized the value of humor but gave it a significant importance in his life. Not only were good (and some not so good) jokes appreciated, but humor was often found in the otherwise boring passing of ordinary time. Family was important to Gilbert, and the loss of two children helped him to emphasize his love for the remaining two, Judy and Mark. His wife Peggy was deeply loved to the end. Surviving are his wife, Peggy Gredler; son, Mark Gredler (Dee) of McDonough, Ga.; daughter, Judy Dodd of Winder, Ga.; grandchildren, Daniel Gredler (Julie) of Atlanta, Matthew Gredler of McDonough, Nathan Gredler of Atlanta, Amanda Walcott (Dion) of Cleveland, Ohio, Karla Dodd and Alex Dodd both of Commerce, Ga.; great-grandchildren, Clara and Ana Gredler, Ashlee and Erika Baird, Braylen Jarrells, and Brandon Walcott. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Charles and David Gredler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2786, Columbia, SC 29202. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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