Anthony Gerl

Gerl, Anthony D. "Tony" MADISON - Anthony D. "Tony" Gerl, passed away on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, at St. Marys Hospital. Tony was born on May 22, 1941, in Hannibal Mo., the son of Virginia and Leonard Sheffler. Virginia later married Albert Gerl Sr. and Tony was adopted by Albert. They moved to Madison in 1953. Tony graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1959. He became a Madison police officer in 1963. While on the department, Tony served on the honor guard for 19 and a half years and the special weapons team for 10 years. During the Vietnam era, he worked undercover gathering information on radical groups like the SDS, Yippie group and the Weathermen. He was one of six officers to be sent to the Republican Party Convention in Miami Beach, Fla. by President Nixon to gather data by the Yippie party. After retiring in 1991 from Madison, Tony worked for the McFarland Police Department for seven years. Tony loved to build model cars and collect and build model trains. He collected trains of every sort and had built several railways in his basement. Tony also loved older cars and farm tractors. He had two old Farmall Cub Tractors that he was rebuilding. Tony was a member of the Madison Vintage Auto Club, a SAL member of American Legion Post 534 in McFarland, Doric Masonic Lodge No. 356, Madison and he also served on the Madison Veterans Firing Squad. Tony is survived by his wife, JoAnn; four daughters, Tammy (Tom) Michels, Kimberly (Tom) Graff and Kristin (Jim) Schwarz, all of Madison and Debra (Jon) Beberniss of Broomfield, Colo.; four grandchildren, Dillon, Austin, Devyn and Jack; and his father, Albert (Edie) Gerl Sr. of Tuscon, Ariz. He is further survived by his three brothers and sister, Al, John (Sharon), both of McFarland, Michael and Jennifer (Dan), both of Madison; and many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia; father, Leonard; granddaughter, Macy M. Schwarz; and a sister, Marilyn Toolate. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, at 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home with a pass in review being held at 5:30 p.m. and a Masonic service being held at 7:45 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of services.