GEGEL
Pastor Brian Kenneth Gegel, 63, of Campbell Hill, IL; born on October 22, 1957 in Sparta, IL; passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, IL.
Pastor Brian grew up working on the family farm in Baldwin, IL, graduated from Sparta High School, and received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from University of Illinois. He was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Jane, on May 24, 1980. Brian worked as a Research Chemist and Senior Scientist at Dow AgroSciences in Midland, MI and Indianapolis, IN for twenty-nine years before retiring early to earn a Master of Divinity from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He preached the word of God at Vista and LeSueur Lutheran Churches in New Richland, MN. In 2019, Brian returned to his hometown region and recently began a call to ministry at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill, IL.
Brian was an active member of the many church communities he was a part of, serving as church president, singing with the choir, and particularly enjoying his involvement with the children and youth groups. Brian was happiest when he was outdoors. You could often find Brian in his yard pulling weeds and tending to his garden. He was an accomplished amateur artist and painter. Brian was a model of hard work and dedication, creativity and goofiness, selfless love and steadiness. He loved his large family more than anything, and was always expanding this circle with “darn-near” nieces, nephews, sister, and brothers.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jane (Wehrheim) Gegel; his father, Kenneth Gegel, and his father- and mother-in-law, Pete and Fern Wehrheim.
Brian is survived by his mother, Eunice (Brewer) Gegel of Baldwin, IL; two children, Jessica (Jon Markl) Gegel of Traverse City, MI and Josh Gegel of Minneapolis, MN; two brothers, Stan Gegel of Baldwin, IL and Mike (Tammy) Gegel of Wapakoneta, OH; brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill, Caring Bridge, and Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.heilschuessler.com.
Visitation: Friends and family may attend St. Luke Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill, IL on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. A selection of Brian’s artwork will be on display during the visitation on Friday at his home next to the church, and visitors are encouraged to peruse and enjoy the collection. The family kindly requests that guests wear a mask inside the church and parsonage.
Funeral: Services will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill, IL on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with The Rev. Dr. S. John Roth, Bishop officiating. Due to limited seating in the church, the service will also be available to listen to in the church parking lot and streaming from the St. Luke Facebook page.
Interment: Burial will be held at Baldwin Cemetery in Baldwin, IL at a later date.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements
Josh and Jess and your entire lovely family: We are deeply saddened by this great man’s passing. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go with all of you. He is a great loss to all
ReplyOur condolences
ReplyI’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort during this time.
ReplyOur family will deeply miss the visits Brian made to our homes. We are with you in spirit and send our love to all your family.
ReplyWow; so sorry to read this. I met him when visiting Marissa a year and half ago. He was renting the Baptist church parsonage which was also my boyhood home. He graciously let me tour the place. My sympathies to his family including his cousins Charlie & Elaine who are dear lifelong friends.
ReplyJosh and Jess and family and friends. We feel only a fraction of the loss your hearts are suffering. We were so blessed to have known both your parents. They have touched our lives with holy joy. Our prayers are with you.
ReplyWe are blessed by having known him. What a fine man. You are all nestled gently in our thoughts and prayers. To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die.
ReplyJess and Josh,
God’s peace and presence be with you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the memories of the wonderful times you shared as a family bring you comfort. You were blessed with very special parents.
Jean and Jim Knuteson (formerly MIdland Michigan where Jim worked with Brian)
Josh and Jess, I was your father’s adviser at LSTC. We had numerous jovial conversations. It was a joy to get to know him and his deep commitments. May you be comforted by the promises we have in Christ Jesus. Michael Shelley
ReplyMy deepest condolences to the family and his church family as well. Pastor Brian was well loved
ReplyDear Jess and Josh,
I grieve with you at the loss of your dad. I also celebrate that he is no longer struggling with his health, and he is in the loving arms of Jesus, Jane, your sweet mom, and all the other saints gone before.
Prayers continue for peace and comfort as you face the days of adjustment ahead!
Pam Vammer
Eunice,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. We know Brian will be greatly missed here on Earth , but heaven is very happy to see him. And, one day you will all be together again.
Sincerely
Alan and Paulette Ashbrook
I was so sorry to hear the sad news about Brian’s passing. I worked with him on many projects at Dow Ag in Indianapolis and was sorry to see him leave there. But he was so happy to have found his true calling in the ministry. He will be truly missed. My condolences to his family.
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I was so sorry to hear the sad news about Brian’s passing. I worked with him on many projects at Dow Ag in Indianapolis and was sorry to see him leave there. But he was so happy to have found his true calling in the ministry. He will be truly missed. My condolences to his family.
Eunice,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. We know Brian will be greatly missed here on Earth , but heaven is very happy to see him. And, one day you will all be together again.
Sincerely
Alan and Paulette Ashbrook
Dear Jess and Josh,
I grieve with you at the loss of your dad. I also celebrate that he is no longer struggling with his health, and he is in the loving arms of Jesus, Jane, your sweet mom, and all the other saints gone before.
Prayers continue for peace and comfort as you face the days of adjustment ahead!
Pam Vammer
My deepest condolences to the family and his church family as well. Pastor Brian was well loved
Jess and Josh,
God’s peace and presence be with you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the memories of the wonderful times you shared as a family bring you comfort. You were blessed with very special parents.
Jean and Jim Knuteson (formerly MIdland Michigan where Jim worked with Brian)
Josh and Jess, I was your father’s adviser at LSTC. We had numerous jovial conversations. It was a joy to get to know him and his deep commitments. May you be comforted by the promises we have in Christ Jesus. Michael Shelley
We are blessed by having known him. What a fine man. You are all nestled gently in our thoughts and prayers. To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die.
Josh and Jess and family and friends. We feel only a fraction of the loss your hearts are suffering. We were so blessed to have known both your parents. They have touched our lives with holy joy. Our prayers are with you.
Wow; so sorry to read this. I met him when visiting Marissa a year and half ago. He was renting the Baptist church parsonage which was also my boyhood home. He graciously let me tour the place. My sympathies to his family including his cousins Charlie & Elaine who are dear lifelong friends.
Our family will deeply miss the visits Brian made to our homes. We are with you in spirit and send our love to all your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort during this time.
Our condolences
Josh and Jess and your entire lovely family: We are deeply saddened by this great man’s passing. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go with all of you. He is a great loss to all