Donald L. Don Gerling, 74, of Jefferson City, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2018, at SSM Health St. Marys Hospital. He was born August 23, 1943, in Jefferson City, the son of the late Stephen Joseph and Pauline Angeline (Spieker) Gerling. He was a 1961 graduate of Helias High School and attended Lincoln University. He was united in marriage on May 21, 1966, in Jefferson City to Vera Ann Schmid who survives at the home. Don worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections for over 33 years retiring September 30, 1999 as Director of Fiscal Management and General Services. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, the American Legion Post 5, and a Golden Age Eagle with the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2693. Don enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing cards and most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his family. He never met a stranger and no matter where he travelled, he always ran into someone he knew. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Vera Gerling, Jefferson City; his son, Ron (Dana) Gerling, Lees Summit; his daughters, Brenda (Mike) Davis, Jefferson City; Paula (Keith) Lorson, Ballwin; and Kathy Surface (Jeremy Hickman), Jefferson City; twelve grandchildren, Carissa (Todd) Bartel, Zachary Buckalew, Alex Gerling, Christina (Jake) Mussallem, Kayla Binkley, Jason Binkley, Bridget Lorson, Nolan Lorson, Conrad Lorson, Delaney Lorson, Aidan Surface, Caroline Hickman; three great-granddaughters, Rayleigh Bartel, Valor Bartel; and Baby Mussallem due in September; and twelve sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Arbell Vogel, Dorothy (Don) Welch, Emma Bonnot, Ann (David) Groner, Hilda (Leon) Eichholz, Ruth (Albert) Miles and Donald (Patsy) Schmid. He was preceded in death by his parents; and nine brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Irene and Ronald Muenks, Julius Vogel, Richard LeCuru, Rose and Bernard Dudenhoeffer, Louis Bonnot and Leonard and Carolyn Schmid. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, June 24, 2018, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2018 at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Chris Cordes officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church, 216 Broadway Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or a charity of the donors choice. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.