Joseph Gerst, Jr, of Saint Ann, MO, passed peacefully at his home on April 28, 2021. He was born May 11,1931, in Oran, MO, the son of Mary Amrhein and Joseph Gerst, Sr. It is difficult to sum up the life of a man who lived 90 years, touched so many lives, loved so deeply, and  accomplished so much. He was a dreamer who came from humble beginnings and built a life any man would envy. He was a simple country boy who handed out pearls of wisdom and advice like a scholar. He could beat you in cards with his eyes closed and cook up breakfast like a five-star chef.  A self-taught pedal steel player and fiddler, he spent years entertaining and passing along his musical prodigy to his beloved family. His interests were intense and wide: from the plants and trees he grew on his land, to the wine he made and the food he obsessed over. He loved his many siblings, friends and animals as if his life depended on it, and that love was returned one hundred fold. As we often said, he was the best
husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather "God ever Made." He always told each and every one of his children and grandchildren that they were his favorite. And we each knew it was true. He leaves behind his children, Diane (Michael) Kleinhoffer, Pamela Lee, Patricia (David) Buchanan, Joseph Gerst III, Karen (Kerry) Paubel, fourteen grandchildren, Justin and Jackie Kleinhoffer, Amanda Clay (Jim), Andrea Ficker
(Ricky), Jamie Lee (Kayla), Katie (Adrienne) and Kevin Buchanan, Nole, Layne, Blaire, Ciara, Bryce, Brett, and Alexandria Paubel, and great grandchildren, James and Holden Clay, Alexis Ficker and Elliot and Silas Lee. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Norma Jean, and infant son Steven, with whom he is finally reunited.

The family wishes to thank his incredible family of caregivers, Angie, Kaye, LaWanda, Donna, Diane, Brittany, Jamee and Jaleesa, and the staff at Heartland Hospice for their loving care to our Daddy. We also wish to thank All Souls Catholic Church for their prayers and support throughout the years.

Visitation Monday, May 3rd, 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Collier's Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd (St. Ann). Funeral mass Tuesday, May 4th, 9:30 AM at All Souls Church, 9550 Tennyson Ave (Overland). Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to All Souls Catholic Church would be greatly appreciated.