Obituary of Barbara L. Gerling

Wayland / Perkinsville – Barbara L. Gerling, 89 years of age, passed away early Wednesday morning August 24, 2016 at her home. Barbara was born February 14, 1927 in Wayland the daughter of Herman and Florence (Hemmer) Last. She grew up in Wayland and has remained a resident of the Wayland/Perkinsville areas her entire life. Barbara graduated from Wayland Central School and began her employment career. Throughout the years she was employed at Foster Wheeler Energy Company, Frank Gilligan Law Office, Dansville Central School and for over 20 years, Barbara was a bus driver for Wayland Central School, retiring in the early 1990’s. Barbara and Paul Gerling were married September 18, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Perkinsville. Together they have celebrated over 68 years of marriage. Throughout the years, Barb was a life-long communicant of Sacred Heart Church. She was a volunteer for Project Reach often inviting the group over for dinner at their home. She enjoyed chasing the hot air balloons, ceramic projects, knitting, canning tomatoes and making strawberry jam. A comical story while Barbara was a bus driver was the unfortunate mishap of castrating a German Shephard. The dog would chase her bus every day and one day……oops! However, she would often say it was the dog’s fault and thankfully the dog lived, but it never chased her bus again! Along with her sense of humor, one of Barbara’s greatest characteristics and joys in life was bringing family and friends together. Her nurturing spirit was evident in all she did throughout life. Barbara was pre-deceased by her parents, Herman and Florence Last; her brother and sister-in-law, Herman and Charlotte Last; and her sister Louise “Mitzi” McConnell. She is survived by her husband Paul Gerling of Wayland; her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra Gerling-Yelle and Raymond of Alfred Station; her grandchildren, Deborah Walach of San Antonio, TX, Scott (Andrea) Yelle of Glastonbury, CT, Wendy Yelle of North Eastham, MA and Ryan Yelle (Abigail Smith) of Manhattan, NY; her great-grandchildren, Raven, Rebecca, Jessica, Jackson and Lexi; her great-great grandson, Jax; her nephews, Kevin (Maria) McConnell of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Kurt (Lisa) McConnell of Mendon and Kelly (Yashira) McConnell of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Barbara’s family and friends may call Tuesday from 4 - 7 p.m. at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Barbara at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church in Perkinsville. Interment and committal prayers will take place immediately following at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Barbara L. Gerling’s memory may be made to the Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572 or to Care First Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Rd, Painted Post, NY 14870.