CARBONDALE, IL — Wardwell Gerrish, age 82 of Carbondale, formerly of Bowdoin, Maine, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2016 in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born November 23, 1933 to Bert and Helen (Hodge) Gerrish in Dixfield, ME. He married Roberta Buck on May 22, 1954. Together they shared 61 years of marriage. He proudly served his country for 21 years in the United States Navy, as an Air Traffic controler and retired at BNAS in 1973. He served during the Korean conflict.

He was a member of the United Church in Phillips, ME and the Grace United Methodist Church in Carbondale. He also was a member of the American Legion.

He was a school bus driver for MSAD #75 in Bowdoin. Also SIU Headstart and Beck Bus Company. He loved to bowl and enjoyed being on the computer.

Wardwell is survived by his loving wife, Roberta “Bobbie” of Carbondale; a daughter, Cynthia (Lloyd) Nelson of Carbondale and a son, Bert (Wendy) Gerrish of Bailey Island, ME; grandchildren, Becky Gerrish of El Paso, TX; Brian Gerrish of Tampa, FL; and Nathan Gerrish of Winthrop, ME; great- grandson’s, Nathan Gerrish, Jr of Winthrop, ME and Brice Gerrish of El Paso, TX; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 10, 2016 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at the Grace United Methodist Church with a Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 pm with Rev. In Sook Hwang officiating.

Memorials can be made to Grace United Methodist Church of Carbondale.