Allan 'Al' Gerling

ALLAN "AL" GREGORY GERLING

Wheeling, W.Va.

Allan "Al" Gregory Gerling, 84, of Wheeling, W.Va., passed away Saturday, June 5, 2021. He died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family. Al was born in Mason City, Iowa, on April 3, 1937, to his parents, Walter Mayer and Mary Leona Orill Gerling. He graduated from Fairfield High Schoo, and obtained a Bachelor's degree from Parsons University, both in Fairfield, Iowa. He served in the Iowa National Guard from 1953 to 1962, where he played trombone in the Guard marching band. After graduating college in 1960, he worked as an accountant at Fairfield Glove Company in Iowa and then transferred to Hanover Glove Co. in Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1985. He retired at the age of 48 to a hillside farm in Marshall County, W.Va.

Al enjoyed singing, playing cards, listening to music, watching "Jeopardy," Formula One racing, and dramatic movies and TV shows. He liked debating political issues, investing in the stock market,and playing croquet. In his younger days, he enjoyed making wine with grapes from his own vineyard and riding his bicycle. He was a funny and smart guy who could strike up a conversation with anyone. He will forever hold a place in our hearts.

Al is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mildred Maxine Phillips Gerling of Wheeling, W.Va.; daughter, Kathy Lynn Aguirre and her husband, Alfredo, of Wheeling and Erica Sue Hamilton and her husban,d Troy, of York, Pa. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Eileen (Meg) Hood and her husband, Lyal Hood, of Worcester, Mass.; and three grandchildren he loved very much, Benjamin Phillip Plunkert of Moundsville, W.Va., and Kaleigh Shayne Hamilton and Jillian Alyssa Hamilton of York, Pa.

A private celebration of Al's life will be held at a future date.

Arrangements by Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff St., Wheeling.