Mark A. Gerke

Mark Alan Gerke, 68, of Pilot Grove, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at his home surrounded by family.

Born June 15, 1953, in Boonville, he was one of four children of Robert Mikel and Veloris Bernadette (Twenter) Gerke.

On January 28, 1978, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilot Grove, he was united in marriage to Donna Marie (Eichmeyer). This union was blessed with three daughters.

Mark was a 1972 graduate of Pilot Grove High School and earned a B.S. in Agriculture Business from Central Missouri State University. He worked for Great American Insurance Company- Crop Division in the marketing department, and was also a farmer.

Mark was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, 3rd degree. He served on the St. Joseph School Foundation, was past school board member of St. Joseph School and Pilot Grove C-4, and was president of St. John’s Cemetery Association.

Everyone who knew Mark described him as a kind, gentle, honest, patient, dedicated and selfless man. Throughout his whole life he always thought of others before himself and never complained.  He loved spending time with his family whether it be taking grandkids on gator rides, time spent around the pool, family vacations, showing cattle at the fair with his daughters and grandkids or deer hunting with his grandkids and nephews.

Mark also loved agriculture and farming.  It was a special blessing to be able to farm with his brother for over 40 years on the family farm.   Other things he enjoyed included pheasant hunting with family and friends and trips with coworkers.

Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Donna, of the home; daughter, Christine Stevenson, her husband Kevin and their daughter, Tamsen, of Weldon Spring; daughter, Nichole Watring, her husband, Tyler and their children Maddie, Arleigh, Lucas and Greta, of Blackwater; daughter, Lauren Thompson, her husband Spencer, and their children, Emerson, Rhett, Charles and Harrison, of Marthasville; brother, Kenny Gerke, and his wife, Becky, of Pilot Grove; two sisters, Judy Lammers, and her husband, James, of Boonville, and Barbara Lammers, of O’Fallon; brother-in-law, Dale Eichmeyer and his wife, Kathy, of Lebanon; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Richard (Dickie) Lammers; father and mother-in-law, Earl and Bernice Eichmeyer and Uncle and Aunt, Homer and Lillian Twenter, who thought of Mark and his siblings as their own.

Prayers of the Rosary will be said at 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 17, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Phil Kane, Fr. Mark Smith and Fr. Derek Hooper concelebrating.

Casket bearers will be Alan Lammers, Nick Lammers, Kent Lammers, Kevin Lammers, Bob Gerke and Greg Eichmeyer.

Honorary bearers will be Mike Lang, Frank Wessing, Gerry Wessing, Ronnie Rapp, James Reuter, Mike Watring and Danny Gerke.

Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Church, St. Joseph School or St. Joseph Foundation.

Arrangements are in the care of Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Pilot Grove.