Herbert C. Gerdes
August 4, 1932 - April 7, 2007

Visitation:
Monday April 6, 2007
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Garland Funeral Home in Walnut

Service:
Tuesday April 10, 2007
10:00 a.m.
The Red Oak United Methodist Church

Herbert C. Gerdes, age 74, of 27792 1500 E Street; Walnut, Illinois, died Saturday morning (April 7, 2007) at CGH Medical Center in Sterling following a recent tractor accident that compounded the affects of a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Gerdes was born on August 4, 1932, on a farm near Walnut. He was the son of John and Etta Mueller Gerdes. He farmed in the Walnut area during his entire life beginning in high school when his father became ill. He was united in marriage with Bertie L. Pfoutz on January 24,1954, in Franklin Grove, Illinois.

Herb was a graduate of the Merchant one- room elementary school and Walnut High School, class of 1950. Herbert was a board member of Walnut Grain Co., serving as president in the 1960’s. He was a member of the Walnut Grade School Board for eight years, serving as president during the construction of the 1968 addition. He was selected as a Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer, was a member of the Walnut Masonic Lodge #722 AF & AM, was a member of the Bureau Valley “Old Thrashin” Tractor Club for many years, was a former long-time member of the Flying Farmers of America, was a member of the Bureau County Board for one year, and was a member of numerous other organizations related to his affection for agriculture and antique tractors, engines and trucks. Mr. Gerdes served as a board member of Citizens First State Bank of Walnut for 16 years, the first full-time farmer to serve in that position. He was also the first full-time farmer inducted into the Walnut Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. He was known in recent years for his extensive collection of antique tractors, farm tools and implements and cars and trucks, and his encyclopedic knowledge of the subject.

He is survived by his wife, Bertie of Walnut, Illinois; one son, Steve Gerdes of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Julie (Kurt) Peterson of Walnut, Illinois; his mother, Etta Weerts of Princeton, Illinois; two grandsons, Reid and Jake Peterson; three sisters, Helen (Del) Sutton of Loganville, Georgia, Delores Thompson of Naperville, Illinois, and Linda (Hank) Porten of Holyoke, Massachusetts; two brothers, Ed (Sharon) Gerdes of Walnut, Illinois, and Larry (Ann) Gerdes of Atlanta, Georgia; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father in November, 1956.

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday at 10:00 AM in The Red Oak United Methodist Church near Walnut with the Rev. Robert Meador, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in The Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Memorials have been established in his memory with the Walnut Volunteer Fire Department and Red Oak United Methodist Church.

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