Joseph (Joe) Frank Gernat passed this life Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at the age of 93.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Gernat and Louise Cigmond Gernat; his sister, Connie Benda; and his first wife, Dorothy Gernat, in 2001.

He is survived by his beloved wife of four years/partner for 20 years, Sherry Sherrill Gernat; one daughter, Linda Gernat; a son, John Gernat,; and stepson, Ernie Sherrill (Stacey). Joe delighted in his grandchildren: Saralynn Hirschi, Andrew Saalman, Bethany Sherrill, Earl Sherrill, and Riley Belle Sherrill; as well as his great grandchildren Myles Saalman and Mia Boettcher. Joe loved his caregiver, Faith, and her husband, Luke, as family. He nicknamed Faith, Mrs. Wonderful.

Joe was born in Romania on Sept. 1, 1930, and later moved with his family to Poland which was home to his father. With continued threats to their safety during World War II, at the age of fourteen, Joe immigrated with his family in 1944 to New Orleans, Louisiana. After a year, his family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be with family and friends located there. While in Colorado, at the age of fifteen Joe worked full-time in a bakery for .35 per hour. The family moved to Chicago the following year which became their new home.

Joe was drafted by the United States Army on Aug. 6, 1951 and was honorably discharged on August 5, 1953. His basic training was at Fort Eustis, VA. He was deployed to Greenland, Iceland, and lastly to Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans where he was honorably discharged. Joe was honored to serve in the United States Army.

Joe worked at the Illinois Central Railroad from 1952-1954. For the next five years, Joe worked at US Steel, and then was employed by Ford Motors South Chicago Heights Assembly Plant for the next 35 years (1959-1994) at which time he retired. Throughout Joe’s working life which began at the age of fifteen in the bakery in Colorado Springs, he helped support his parents financially. Joe was a hard worker and demonstrated an awareness of how quickly life can change as he had experienced as a child.

Joe remembered affectionately his life with his family in Poland. He enjoyed all things Polish: The language, Polka, polish music, and food. He enjoyed birthday parties that included dancing the Polka, eating Polish delights, and listening to the music he so enjoyed as a youngster. The highlight of Joe’s later days were being able to see the pictures and videos of his family that live all across the country.

Joe was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Tullahoma, TN. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. at Daves Culbertson Funeral Home, 401 N. Jackson Street, Tullahoma, with Father Klasac presiding. Visitation will be held at Daves Culbertson Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at Rosehill Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com

Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tullahoma News – Oct. 25, 2023