Charles Addison Gerson, Jr.

CHARLES GERSON, JR.

HIGHLAND – Charles A. “Charlie” Gerson, Jr., 80, formerly of Hardin, passed away at 9:20 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024 at St. Louis University Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Charlie was born on June 23, 1944 in Alton, Illinois to the late Jennie (Jacobson) and Charlie Gerson, Sr. He attended grade school in Carrollton, Illinois and graduated from Carrollton Community High School in 1962.

Following high school, Charlie worked on the family farm with his father until 1971. In 1972, he started as a mechanic at Krause & Son in Jerseyville, Illinois and eventually met his future wife, Ramona, in 1977. Charlie and Ramona married on September 16, 1978 in Carrollton. Together they raised their children in Hardin and have shared many wonderful memories in their 45 years of marriage.

In the mid 1980’s, Charlie was promoted to Service Manager at Krause & Son, until he transitioned to salesman in 1991, where he developed his passion for “wheeling and dealing.” In 1998, He and Ramona then purchased Krause & Son and rebranded in Prairie Land Power. They owned and operated Prairie Land Power until Charlie’s retirement in 2017. As a business owner, Charlie became a member of the Jerseyville Rotary Club and served as President in 1999-2000.

Charlie’s love for tractors and farming was expressed in all aspects of his life. He was an avid collector of antique Massey Harris, Ferguson and Massey Ferguson equipment, planted extravagant gardens, and always found a reason to be outside on one of his tractors. When he wasn’t working at his business, gardening or tinkering in his sheds at home, He and Ramona loved to travel around the country to attend antique tractor shows. Charlie also then joined Illinois Massey Collectors Association, Friends of Ferguson, and Tri-County Antique Club, where they made many great friends throughout the years.

Charlie held many titles in his life, but husband, father and grandfather were his most treasured roles. He leaves behind his loving wife, Ramona; four sons, Rick (Linda) Gerson of Springfield, Ron (Rebeca) Gerson of Lake Elsinore, California, Chris (Joliene) Gerson of East Peoria, Nathan (Alesha) Gerson of Leroy, Ohio; a daughter, Shelly (Jason) Sievers of St. Jacob; five grandchildren, Justin (June) Dibbler, Kenzie and Kaden Sievers and Audrey and Ava Gerson; two great grandchildren, Carter and Harrison Dibbler; three brothers, Paul Gerson of O’Fallon, Missouri , Dave (Debbie) Gerson of Hamburg and Bob (Patty) Gerson of Batchtown.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother and father in-law, Art Armstrong and Shirley (Russell) Armstrong; a grandson, Bob Dibbler; a sister in-law, Cyrena Gerson; a niece, Gwen Herkert; a nephew, Billy Gerson; as well as a brother in-law, Russell Armstrong.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday.

Burial will follow at Elsah Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family in care of the funeral home.

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com 

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