Connie Sue (Fox) Gerster

Connie Sue Gerster, 59, of Schell City, Mo., the only daughter of Joy Calvin and Bettie Maudie (Wells) Fox entered into Heaven Saturday, May 30, 2015, at her home. She was born Jan. 30, 1956, in Nevada, Mo., and lived her entire life in Vernon County.

She attended school in Schell City and graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 1974 where she was a cheerleader for many years. On Nov. 29 of that same year she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Harvey Leroy Gerster, and their union was blessed with three children. Connie worked as a bookkeeper part-time for Ellis Furniture for more than 30 years and also spent 19 years in the banking industry as a teller for what was then Citizens State Bank, in Nevada. She was a devoted church member serving through the years as a Sunday school teacher, song leader, and all around volunteer in any capacity that was needed.

She and Harvey raised their children in church and together supported them in all school and community activities through the years. She was an active member of the Dederick Christian Church. Connie enjoyed reading, painting, puzzles, and was known for her ability to bake an excellent cookie. But her greatest passion was her family; spending time with them was the most important thing in her life.

Survivors include her husband, Harvey, of the home; children, Jina Potter and Travis of Derby, Kan., Jordan Gerster and Krista of Lockwood, Mo., and Lillie Joy Gerster of the home; her mother, Bettie Fox, also of Schell City, Mo.; brothers, Tom Fox and Beth of Nevada, Mo., and Jimmy Fox and Cheryl of Schell City, Mo.; grandchildren, Ethan, Blake, Addison, and Philip Potter; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Connie was preceded in death by her father, and her beloved daughter, Joni.

Funeral services for Connie Sue Gerster will be held at 11 a.m., today, June 2, at the NEVC Elementary Campus in Schell City, Mo., with Bro. Jared Kouba officiating. Pallbearers are Mike Reed, Bill Reed, Jerry Gardner, Everette Ogle, Dennis Vantellman, and Doug Vantellman. Musical selections of "In the Garden" and "Blessed Assurance" will be provided by Margaret Charbonneau and Diane Eslinger. Interment will follow in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City, Mo. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 1, at the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, in Schell City, Mo. Memorials are suggested in her memory to an Educational Fund for Lillie Gerster that has been established at Farmers State Bank in Schell City, Mo., or may be left at the funeral home.

Arrangements for Mrs. Gerster were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City, Mo.