Mark Gerdes

Mark Michael Gerdes, 62, of Jackson passed away Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 16, 1950, in St. Louis, son of Olin and Irene Goebel Gerdes. He and Georgiana Felker were married June 25, 1971, in Chaffee, Mo.

Mark graduated from Webster Groves High School, and received an Associate degree from Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Okla. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1970 until his honorable discharge in 1974 and worked at T.G. Missouri in Perryville, Mo., from 1986 until his retirement as general manager in 2010. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as camping, fishing and hunting, but his special joy was being with his grandchildren.

Loving survivors include his wife of 40 years; two sons, Ben Gerdes of Chaffee and Jonathan (Aimee) Gerdes of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; four grandchildren, Christopher Gerdes and Megan Gerdes of Ohio, Nolan Gerdes and Tyler Gerdes of Poplar Bluff.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Cathy Bandle.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens in Morley, Mo., with Pastor Jesse Mills officiating.

Memorials are suggested to The American Cancer Society.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.