Anthony Gerdes

Anthony “Tony” Gerdes, of Edna passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at the age of 91. He was born May 11, 1922, in Hallettsville to the late Anthony Martin Gerdes Sr. and Annie Gertude Hill Gerdes.
    Tony served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines. He also owned a dry cleaning business in Edna formerly called Courtesy Cleaners.
    He is survived by his wife, Leverette Lanette Derrick Gerdes; daughters; Delores Marshall of Houston and Nancy Gerdes of Edna; sons, Dr. Anthony Martin Gerdes III of New York and Christopher Lee Gerdes of Sugar Land; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many loving family members and friends.
    Tony is preceded in death by his parents; six sisters and six brothers.
    Visitation was Feb. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. at Oaklawn Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Edna with Rev. Michael Petering officiating. Burial followed at Memory Gardens in Edna.
    Pallbearers were his nephews and grandsons.
    Memorials may be made to NYIT-COM, Northern Boulevard, P.O. Box 8000, Old Westbury, NY 11568. Donations will be used to fund research on a new treatment for heart failure resulting from discoveries by his son, Dr. A Martin Gerdes.
    Arrangements are under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna 361-782-2221.