Harold Gerard

Harold F. Gerard, 87, of McClure died Thursday, June 15, 2006, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 1, 1919, in Alexander County, Ill., the son of Albert Owen and Flora Bell Fletcher Gerard. He and Iona Mae Benson were married in Fulton, Tenn., and were married 68 years.

Mr. Gerard was a lifetime farmer in the McClure area. He was a member of East Cape Baptist Church and a longtime member of Jonesboro Masonic Lodge 111. He was also a former board member of McClure East Cape Levy District, former and founding board member of McClure East Cape Water District.

He is survived by his wife of McClure; a son, Steve Gerard and wife Jan of McClure; a daughter-in-law, Donna Pikey of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Delmar Gerard of Houston, Texas; a sister, Alberta Ellen McCoy of Evansville, Ind.; four grandchildren, Stacy Miller of Salt Lake City, Utah, Blake Gerard and Nicole Gerard of Cape Girardeau, Tate Gerard of McClure; and two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Lucy Gerard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, H. Lynn Gerard; a brother, Gerald Allen Gerard; and a sister, Dorothy McKee.

A memorial service will be held at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home today at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Raymond Oxford officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lindsey Cemetery Fund, McClure, Ill., or the American Cancer Society.