Obituary of Michael Gergel

Michael J. Gergel Olean, NY Michael J. Gergel, 94, of 1831 Willard Street passed away Monday (April 8, 2013) at the Olean General Hospital after a short illness. Born May 9, 1918 in Olean, he was the son of Thomas and Anna Klotczyk Gergel. On August 28, 1948 at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean he married Catherine Frances Kenny who survives. Mr. Gergel served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946, seeing combat in Italy, Africa and the Philippines. He worked for thirty four years as a car repairman on the Penn Central Railroad, retiring in 1978. He was then employed for ten years as a part time member of security at St. Bonaventure University. He was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean, the Allegany Knights of Columbus Council 1220, the Pulaski Club and the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post 892. Surviving besides his wife of sixty four years are one daughter Mary Gergel of Olean; one son Noel (Jodie) Gergel of Frederick, MD; a granddaughter Emma Gergel of Frederick, MD, a grandson Kenny Louck of Olean and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three sisters Agnes Gergel, Margaret (Lyman) Drake and Anne (Robert) Lamb; two brothers John (Shirley) Gergel and Thomas Gergel; a sister-in-law Anna Gergel; one nephew Donald Drake and three nieces Gloria Gergel, Constance Gergel and Gail Gergel. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held Thursday (April 11, 2013) beginning with a prayer service at the funeral home at 9:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00am at St. Mary of the Angels Church. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery with full military services being accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team. Memorials may be made to St. Mary of the Angels Church or to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, P.O. Box 375 Olean, NY 14760. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.