Gerald N. Gorrell
August 15, 1918 — October 15, 2008
A memorial service for Gerald N. Gorrell, 90, of Granville, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 8, 2008 at First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville with the Rev. Karen Chakoian officiating. A private graveside service was held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville.
Gerald passed away on Oct. 15, 2008. He was born on August 15, 1918, in Jasper County, IL, near Newton, to Stella and Alva Gorrell. An only child, he was proud of his farming heritage and of his family's pioneer history. He attended Eastern Illinois State Teacher's College and returned home for two years to teach Grades 1-8 in a one-room country school. He served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in campaigns of New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon. He was awarded three Bronze Star Medals for meritorious service. Following the war in 1946, he joined State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, IL, working with the founders at a time when the company was expanding rapidly. During an accomplished 37-year career with State Farm, he was entrusted with the opening of regional offices first in St. Paul, MN; then Charlottesville, VA; and finally Newark, OH. He and his family - wife Dorothy E. (D. Ellen) Gorrell, whom he married on June 2, 1946, and children Daniel A. Gorrell and Victoria L. Gorrell - settled in Granville in 1960. He was a leader in his community, serving as mayor of the Village of Granville from 1965 to 1971, an elder for several years in the First Presbyterian Church, and a member of Granville Kiwanis. He was the driving force in establishing Granville's charter form of government and served as the first mayor under that system. An ardent and lifelong Republican, he was also active in the Ohio GOP. He is survived by D. Ellen; Dan and his wife, Lois Livesay Gorrell; Vicki and her husband, Bob Mondi; and his much-loved cat, Emily.
Arrangements are in the care of McPeek Funeral Home in Granville. Visit www.mcpeekfuneralhome.com to sign an online guest book or send condolences to the family.
Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to the Salvation Army or the Humane Society.