George W. Gundling

George Wilford Gundling, age 99, of Davenport, IA formerly of Hannibal, MO passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Bickford Cottage of Davenport.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2020, at Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Pastor Jessica Foster will officiate. Burial with full military honors provided by the Emmette J. Shields American Legion Post #55 will be in the Grand View Burial Park. 

Visitation celebrating George's life  will be held 12:00 noon until the time of the service Monday at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

George was born on February 1, 1921, in Hannibal, MO the son of  George Paul and Minnie Bell (Frankum) Gundling .

He was united in marriage to Katherine C. Penfield on August 19, 1945, in Hannibal, MO.  She preceded him in death on October 3, 2001.

Survivors included a son, Jon Gundling and wife Margaret L. Deason Gundling of Taylor Ridge, IL; grandchildren, Andrew Gundling (Torri) and Amy Clement (Rod); great grandchildren, Kelsey, Karissa, Kyle, Kaylee and Emma; step great grandchildren, Lindsey, Josh, Garrith, and Brianna; and great great grandson; Hudson James; brother Art Gundling of Laferia, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Gundling was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter Gundling and Kenneth Gundling. 

George graduated from Hannibal High School and went on to proudly serve his country in the Army Air Corp during WWII with the group 15 stationed in Northern Africa.

George worked several jobs over the years to support his family.  He started working at the Hannibal Courier-Post with a delivery route, along with working at Brown Shoe Factory, MODOT, transporting materials to and from St. Louis, REA Express, before retiring with Burlington & Northern Railroad as a laborer on their Amtrak division.

George was a friend of many and never met a stranger.  He enjoyed his daily trips to the Hannibal Nutrition Center with his wife Katherine and after her passing he enjoyed the companionship of his friend Margaret.  He and Katherine enjoyed seventeen wonderful winter seasons in Mission, TX where they enjoyed going out dancing and listening to music.  In 2010 George was one of the proud recipients of the Great River Honor Flight.  This was something he cherished and spoke of often.  George was a member of the Emmette J. Shields American Legion Post #55.

George's biggest love was his family and the time spent with his grandchildren.

George was a member of  Park United Methodist Church. 

Pallbearers will be Gary Moore, Rod Clement, Jon Gundling, Andrew Gundling, Larry Mack and Donald Burroughs.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hannibal Nutrition Center 219 S. 10th Street, Hannibal, MO, 63401 or Park United Methodist Church 2335 Palmyra Road, Hannibal, MO, 63401 , in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. 

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on George's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com 

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