Gerald Grasso

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Gerald Russell Grasso, 78, of Marble Hill died Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, at Iron County Hospital in Pilot Knob, Mo.

He was born Aug. 19, 1931, in San Rafael, Calif., to Russel Angelo and Bessie Pearl Davies Grasso. He and Janette Sue Foulk were married April 21, 1959, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Grasso served in the Navy during the Korean conflict and Vietnam War.

He was a pipefitter in St. Louis with Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a member of Naval Fleet Reserve Branch 267 of St. Charles, Mo.; SEMO Amateur Radio Club in Jackson; SEMO HOG Chapter; and Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club Chapter F.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Russell Grasso of Jackson; a daughter, Lorinda Harris of Granite City, Ill.; two brothers, Charles Grasso of Fairfax, Calif., Harvey Grasso of Castro Valley, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Nichole and Nathan Harris.

A son, Mark Grasso, preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

The service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Mike Pope officiating. Burial will be in Lightner Memorial Cemetery with military graveside rites by Missouri Funeral Honors.