Gerald E. Bourland

Gerald E. Bourland
Bethalto, Illinois - Dateline: Bethalto, Illinois
Gerald E. Bourland, 87, of Bethalto, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Cottage Hills, on October 7, 1938, the son of Silas and Verble (Bilderback) Bourland. Gerald married Joan E. Bria on June 24, 1960, at Bethalto United Methodist Church. She survives.
Gerald was an accountant at Laclede Steel for 44 years until his retirement. He then served as a consultant at Alton Steel for several years. He was a member at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto where he was on the building committee and very active on the school board as well as the Missions board. He was also a member and past president of Bethalto Rotary Club, a member of the Bethalto Village Board of Trustees for 47 years, and the Steel Credit Association. He enjoyed mowing the grass and caring for his yard, golfing and golf trips, and washing his cars. During the winters, Gerald and Joan were Snow Birds and traveled to Florida for 15 years. He was always mild mannered and even tempered. Most of all, he loved spending time with his friends and family.
Along with his wife, Joan, he is survived by his children, Jerilyn (Larry) Hawkins of Bethalto and Todd (Amy) Bourland of Elizabethton, TN; 6 grandchildren, Tyler (Kelsey) Hawkins, Nathan (Sara) Hawkins, Elizabeth (Timothy) Howald, Rachel (Justin) Sapp, Emmeline Bourland, and EasterAnna Bourland; and 8 great-grandchildren, Kaden, Jackson, Vada, Ellie, Miriam, Jace, Nolan, and Gideon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and 4 siblings, Evelyn Schoppet, Robert Bourland, Dorothy Myer, and Donald Bourland.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2026, from 9:30 am until time of service at 11 am, at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto. Pastor Kale Hanson and Pastor Brandon Metcalf will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens.
Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran School.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.