MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A celebration of life for John Henry Gerstenberger, 93, of Macon, Ga., formerly of Memphis, Tenn., who died Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, following a brief illness, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Funeral Home, in Memphis, with the Rev. David Brighton, of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church of Warner, Robins, Ga., officiating.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
John Gerstenberger served on the staff of Methodist Hospital in the radiologist department for 32 years. He was the administrative director of the department of radiology and technical director of the School of Radiologist Technology from 1955 to 1980. John was responsible for the training process for hundreds of radiologic technologists. From his first student in 1948 to the final class he trained in 1980, not one of his students failed to pass the National Registry. He was the recipient of a Living Award from the Methodist Health System 1993: an outstanding service award from the Governor’s Committee of Employment of the Handicapped in Tennessee and received recognition award from the Lions International and Rotary International. John also had an endowed scholarship fund for radiology residents established by Winthrop Pharmaceuticals.
John Gerstenberger was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Bess “Beedee” Wilson, who he was married to for 56 years prior to her going home to the Lord in 1996; and one daughter, Karla Marie Laukhuff.
Survivors include one son, Robert Gerstenberger and wife, Nancy, both of Macon; one son-in-law, Ralph Laukhuff Jr. of Vidalia; five grandchildren, Randy Laukhuff and wife, Bethaney, both of Lafayette, La., Kari Blaney and husband, Kippy, both of Ferriday, John W. Gerstenberger and wife, Andi, both of Phoenix, Ariz., Tiffany Andrews and husband, Mike, both of Macon, and Brittny Laukhuff of Vidalia; three great-grandchildren, Chase Laukhuff of Ferriday, Chad Laukhuff of Lafayette and Eli Andrews of Macon; eight step-great-grandchildren, Emily Blaney and fiancé, Cade Farmer, both of Natchez, Chad Blaney and wife, Angle, and son, Silas, Wesley and Robin Blaney, all of Natchez, Morgan Andrews of Macon, Christian, Gary and Charles Leggett, all of Lafayette; and one niece, JoAnne Caraway.
Pallbearers will be John W. Gerstenberger, Randy Laukhuff, Mike Andrews, Kippy Blaney, Chase Laukhuff and Chad Laukhuff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the building fund at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 336 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins, GA 31088.