AVA - Harvey Ernst Gerler, 81, of Ava, Illinois passed away peacefully Saturday, November 30, 2024 at
Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, with family at his side. He was admitted on October 17 th and
courageously fought a 6 week battle with MDS/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Harvey was born January 14, 1943 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Roland Joseph and Lonie Matilda
(Stueve) Gerler at their home. He was the youngest of their 5 children.

He was baptized February 14, 1943 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau MO and attended
school there until the 3 rd grade. In 1949 their family moved to Jackson County, Illinois and Harvey
attended Gorham Public School, then Christ Lutheran School in Jacob. Around 1951, their family moved to Ava and Harvey attended Ava Grade School through 5 th grade, then St. Peter's Lutheran School in Campbell Hill through 8 th grade. He was confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Harvey graduated from Trico High School in Campbell Hill, Illinois in 1960.

Following graduation, Harvey followed his brother Milford to the Chicago area and he worked at Wabash Fiber Box Company for 15 years. He was in management there for 14 years and his last position was shipping manager.

Harvey married Sarah Ruth Green June 3, 1961 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill, Illinois and they had three children: Diane Lynn, Richard Lee, and Michelle Lynn. They were members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tinley Park, Illinois.

In 1975, Harvey and Sarah moved their family back to Ava, IL and purchased a grocery store there and named it Ava Food; Family Center. They soon purchased the adjoining building and expanded the store into half of the new building. A few years later they expanded again and Harvey still operated the business six days a week until he became ill and he passed that work ethic to his children. Harvey enjoyed watching sports and his favorite was St. Louis Cardinal's. His favorite color was blue. His blue Chevy truck was a staple parked in front of the store each day, and evenings and weekends Harvey could be seen driving all over southern Illinois, delivering ice, shopping, or attending estate sales. Harvey's passion was the store. He had a caring soul and helped others less fortunate in the community as much as he could.

Harvey was an active member of the Ava community for many years. He previously served on the Ava City Council, was Khoury League sponsor for many years, helped with the physician recruitment committee, and was an active participant in the development of the Elizabeth A. Smysor Park in the downtown. He thoroughly enjoyed his daily breakfasts at Brunzeez Café in Ava with the breakfast gang.

Harvey and Sarah divorced and on October 19, 1992 Harvey married Doris Jean (Dagner) Hayden in Perryville, Missouri. Doris passed away September 22, 2017.

Harvey is survived by his three children: Diane Anderson of Ava, Richard (Kathy) Gerler of Springfield, Tennessee, and Michelle (Jim) Rich of Hurst; seven grandchildren Brian (Renee) Anderson, Keith (Ashley) Anderson, Danielle Anderson, Marisa Gerler, Kelsea (Brandon) Maatman, Dana (Jeff) Guenther, and Craig (Jessica) Gerler; and eight great-grandchildren Alayna and Harper Anderson, Noelle and Bristol Anderson, Drake and Skylar Maatman, and Colton and Corey Gerler; two brothers, Milton (Marietta) Gerler of Gorham, and Norman (Sharon) Gerler of California; sister, Marjorie Hanna of Chester, and sister-in-law Zelma Gerler of Crestwood, Illinois. He is also survived by step-children Tammy (Todd) Misselhorn, Michele Opp, and Gary (Mindy) Hayden Jr. and their children Brandon, Kearsten, Tyrin, Melina, Tonya, and Mason.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Milford Gerler, brother-in-law Bill Hanna, son-in-law Melvin Anderson, and Adam Arnett.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 7 th at Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava, with Pastor Bob Spangler officiating. Burial will follow at Ava Evergreen Cemetery, Ava. Visitation will be held Friday evening at the funeral home where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. and then on Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. until the hour of service. Memorials may be made to Sandra's Comfort.