Saturday, August 2nd, 2014
Jacqueline Gerstner
Jacqueline Eleanor Gerstner, 85, St. Marys, died July 30, 2014, at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community, where she had made her home the past 15 months.
She was born Dec. 19, 1928, in Philadelphia, the only child of Alvin and Bertice McBride Hencken. On June 23, 1951, she married Max W. Gerstner, whom she had met at The Ohio State University. They settled in his hometown of St. Marys, where he was an engineer at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., St. Marys.
Surviving are seven children, Ruth A. Gerstner, Upper Arlington, Mary T. Gerstner, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Bruce W. (Maura) Gerstner, Fleetwood, Penn., Jean E. (Michael) Renbarger, Chamberlain, S.D., Catherine L. Gerstner, Huntersville, N.C., Janet C. Keenan, Cincinnati, and George R. Gerstner, Ostrander; five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Gilbert (Frances) Gerstner, Springboro, Mary E. Gerstner, Huber Heights, John (Nickolae) Gerstner, Menifee, Calif., James Gerstner, Huber Heights, Thomas Gerstner, Tipp City, and Robert Gerstner, St. Marys; and three grandchildren, David M. Renbarger, Spearfish, S.D., Elizabeth G. Renbarger, Chamberlain, S.D., and Abigail C. Keenan, Cincinnati.
She grew up in the village of New Rumley and graduated from nearby Scio High School in 1946. She earned a bachelor's degree in social work from The Ohio State University in 1950 and worked for a year at a women's reformatory in Pennsylvania. She was a homemaker and, when her children were older, a salesperson at Durnell & Sons Jewelers. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Progress Club and the Mothers Study Club. When her children were in school, she was active in Girl Scouts, the Memorial High School Band Parents and the Holy Rosary PTA and CCD. Her interests included cooking, baking, history, current events and animals, especially cats. Before her husband's death in 2005, they enjoyed traveling and socializing with many long-time friends in the community.
Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Monday at the church, the Rev. Barry Stechschulte officiating.
Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Miller-Long & Folk Funeral Home, St. Marys.
Memorial contributions may be made to Agape Food Pantry, the Auglaize County Humane Society or a charity focusing on child or animal welfare.
