James F. Gehring

James F. Gehring Obituary James Frank Gehring, age 78, of The Villages, Florida, transitioned from this life Tuesday, January 23, 2024.  He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Francis Charles and Mercedes Ana Gehring. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Carol Gehring.  Also, his first wife Sharon (nee Brule) sharing 18 years of marriage and three children Robynn, Todd, and Kristine. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Mary Ellen (nee Connell) Gehring; son Todd (Lisa) Gehring; daughters Robynn Gehring and Kristine (Jim) Klein; stepdaughter Kelly DeWitt; seven grandchildren Nicolette Gehring, Kendra Staton, Taylor and Madison Michurski, Hawkyns Klein, and Bella and Brix DeWitt; two great granddaughters Ryleigh Staton and Rainie Banks; and many family and friends. Jim led a simple life and loved special time with family and friends.  He had a volunteer’s heart and was always ready to lend a helping hand.  His strong faith was the foundation for everything he did in life.  He was always true to his word.  One of his favorite phrases was “if you’re gonna do it, do it”, and he did.  He was never a procrastinator. After serving in the Air Force, his career had him residing in ND, NE, MN, and IL.  “Home” was time living in Geneva, Illinois. His career with the Bell System and its spinoff companies spanned over 30 years but he loved being able to retire early.  Besides family and friends, he enjoyed gardening, projects (either his or somebody else’s) and endless volunteer opportunities.  He was most active with the Knights of Columbus, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and the Geneva community in Illinois. Jim was a little mischievous trickster even though the medical staff that cared for him the last weeks of his life called him “adorable”.  He was. Hoping he was greeted in heaven with “Well done, good and faithful servant”. A favorite saying was in his voicemail greeting that ended with “Make yourself a great day”.  Please do that…it would make him happy! A Funeral Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Wildwood, Florida was celebrated February 10, 2024. A graveside service will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Geneva, Illinois at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Following the service will be a Celebration of Friends at Oscar Swan Country Inn, 1800 W. State Street, Geneva, Illinois, please meet at the Gathering Building. If friends wish to make donations in memory of Jim, checks should be made out to Knights of Columbus, Council 2191, PO Box 25, Batavia, IL 60510.  In the memo state that check should go to (Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund). For information 630-232-8233 or www.malonefh.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James F. Gehring, please visit our floral store. Read More