Obituary: Ronald Gerdes

CISSNA PARK — Ronald D. Gerdes, 83, of Cissna Park, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka.
Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at the Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Ash Grove. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the church with the Rev. Dale Fjordbotten officiating. Burial follows in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery at Ash Grove with graveside military rites by the Cissna Park American Legion Post No. 527.
Mr. Gerdes was born May 25, 1942, in Rensselaer, Ind., a son of Meinhart and Lorene (Brucker) Gerdes. He married Sheryl R. Jacob on Sept. 26, 1964, at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Ash Grove, and she survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Greg (Ronda) Gerdes of St. Joseph, Glen (Stephanie) Gerdes of Lake Villa and Garvin (Amy) Gerdes of Monticello; six grandchildren, Alyson Gerdes, Jordyn Gerdes, Peyton Gerdes, Olivia Gerdes, Maddux Gerdes and Corinne Gerdes; two brothers, Rodell (Marcie) Gerdes of Paxton and Stanley (Barbara) Gerdes of Savoy; and one sister, Charlene Hauptli of Morton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dale Gerdes; and one son, Gary Gerdes.
Mr. Gerdes was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church at Ash Grove. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Vietnam War. He was an active member and past commander of the Cissna Park American Legion Post No. 527. He was an avid golfer and a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He spent 38 years as a contractor with Morton Buildings. After retiring, he loved spending time with his three sons’ families, especially his grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church at Ash Grove, the Cissna Park American Legion Post No. 527 or the Cissna Park fire department.
Memories may be shared at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.