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Gerrry Stirle, 61, passed away at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee on Sunday morning, June 21, 2009.
 Gerry was born in Racine on June 25, 1947, to the late Edmund and Helen Elizabeth (nee: Jensen) Stirle. A 1965 graduate of Washington Park High School, he went on to further his education at Gateway Technical College.
Gerry proudly served his Country with the United States Army, 14th Combat Engineer Battalion, in the Vietnam War. Though he tried his hand at various entrepreneurial endeavours, his primary career focus was in the commercial/industrial water treatment industry where he worked himself up from the factory to a Vice-Presidency.
On October 14, 1989, he was united in marriage with Rusty (nee: Smith). Family always came first for Gerry. He was a loving, caring and supportive husband, father, grandfather and brother. They were truly the “sunshine of his life.” He enjoyed a large circle of friends and appreciated each and every one of them. Gerry was a kind man with a subtle sense of humor who took time for everyone who touched his life.
Gerry loved fishing. As far as he was concerned, you just couldn’t beat a good day on the lake. Unless, or course, the Packers were playing, or it was time to go on another travel adventure with Rusty. Music soothed Gerry’s soul, especially Bob Dylan. He also enjoyed fantasy football, gambling and his dogs -- Cody and Kramer.
Surviving are his loving wife of nearly 20 years, Rusty; children, Michelle (Randy) Eschmann, Michael Stirle, Erik (Carla) Stirle and Teresa (Rick Adams) Smith; grandchildren, Justin Olson; Emily & Allison Eschmann; Miranda & Mallory Stirle; brother, Mark (Kathy) Stirle; sister, Jan (John) Dumas; brother-in-law, James Coberly (Irene) Smith; sister-in-law, Barbara Smith; and by many special nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends too numerous to mention by name.
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Robert Fiehweg
I'm very sad to read that Gerry passed, and at such a young age. Gerry and I grew up together on Meachem Street and hung out together during late grade school early junior high. He was a great pal, although we were both prone to getting into mischief. Meachem St. wasn't all that exciting afterall. I remember Gerry was a pretty good athlete and crazy about sports. We spent a fair amount of time on the ball fields at Gilbert Knapp elementary school. As life would have it, we drifted apart during high school and after graduating, I lost touch.
Fast forward 21 years. I was working for a small water treatment company in Denver and got a call from the Metro Denver wastewater district that a water softener my company had installed wasn't working correctly. The owner of the company blamed the problems on the equipment manufacturer, so I caled this company in Oak Creek, WI. The company rep on the other end of the line turned out to be Gerry. It was one of those small world moments. His immediate recollection was that he made me eat worms when we were little.
I described the problem to Gerry and he had it figured out in no time. We did such a good job for Metro that two months later, I was working at the District instead of the water treatment company, which went under not long after. I never got a chance to thank Gerry for making me look good to my future employer.
If the man Gerry became was as good as the kid he was, and I'm sure he was, he is certainly missed by his family and friends. My sympathies to all those whom I join in mourning his loss, knowing that that mischivous little brat that made me eat worms will live on in my memory. And with great fondness, too, I must add.