Gerald Wayne Emling

Gerald Wayne Emling, 74, of Nashville, IL, departed this life on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Pinckneyville Community Hospital after a hard-fought battle with cancer. There are no words that can convey the joy Gerald Emling brought to every life he touched. He loved to tell stories that left you laughing, so it's our hope that his story puts a smile on your face.
On May 12, 1949, Gerald Wayne Emling entered the world 34 hours and 18 minutes before his twin brother Harold. It isn't clear exactly when Gerald's parents, Robert and Marion Emling, first realized their twin boys would be a handful, but it may have been around the time the youngsters tossed homegrown tomatoes against the side of their grandfather's barn until it turned a slimy red and green.
Gerald graduated from DuQuoin High School in 1967 and was an Army veteran. He later graduated from SIU Carbondale in 1975 with a Bachelor's of Science in Agribusiness. He was a Christian. His wife of 48 years was the love of his life and favorite tennis partner. Together, they raised two sons, Jonathan and Eric Emling, who meant everything to him.
He worked in multiple agribusiness roles from 1972 until his retirement in 2018. Out of the many running jokes at the grain elevator, his former coworkers will tell you that his greatest invention was a bogus pie baking contest that netted them many delicious pies. He printed flyers to advertise the competition and handed them to every farmer who came by the grain elevator.
Gerald was known for his bountiful energy and love of sports, enjoying handball, tennis, biking, kayaking, windsurfing, camping, and pinochle. Gerald held a special affinity for basketball. When he wasn't cheering on the Salukis, Gerald was often shooting hoops against athletes decades younger than him. Injury later led him to the golf course, where he walked up to 27 holes a day year-round.
Gerald was preceded in death by his father, Robert J. Emling. He is survived by his wife, sons Jonathan and Eric, mother Marion Irene (Genesio), brothers Harold and Tom Emling, sister Virginia Appuhn, and countless loved ones.
Gerald leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter. We invite you to honor his life by telling a joke, taking a walk, or shooting some hoops with the people you love. He will be missed but never forgotten.
The family will hold a private celebration of life in honor of Gerald. Maxton-Rosado Funeral Home in Du Quoin is assisting the family with final arrangements.
For those who prefer, the family requests memorial donations be made to:
The St. Louis area CRU, in care of Lee and Emily Ruppel by visiting the website at https://give.cru.org/0634727
or
World Vision by visiting the website at www.worldvision.org/donate