Claudia Gail Gersbacher, 65, of Mt. Vernon died 6 p.m. Nov. 15, 2004, at her home.

She had worked as a waitress in several local restaurants.

Mrs. Gersbacher was born Nov. 23, 1938, in Bluford to Hershel and Elizabeth Lucille (Wilson) Tate.

Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Friday at Mt. Olive Cemetery in rural Jefferson County. The Rev. Gale Breeze will officiate. No public visitation will be held.

Mrs. Gersbacher is survived by sons John Hiatt Jr. and wife Pamela of Mt. Vernon, Doug Hiatt and wife Vickie of Mt. Vernon and Tracy Gersbacher of St. Louis; a daughter, Tonya Mick and husband Dale of Mt. Vernon; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brothers Hershel Tate Jr. and wife Glenda of Mt. Vernon, William Tate and wife Carolyn of Mt. Vernon, Norman Ray Tate of Monroe, La., and Gleason Tate and wife Laura of Benton, Mo.; sisters Hershella Warren and husband Evertt of O'Fallon, Mo., Louise Braddock of Dwight, Mich., Ramona Ellis and husband Les of Mt. Vernon, Virginia Bryant and husband Don of Champaign, Linda Tate of Mt. Vernon, Sue Richardson and husband Marvin of Mt. Vernon, Nancy Spangler of Woodlawn and Teresa Morris and husband Dave of Bluford; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Leota Graves and Norma Rutherford; and a brother, Fred Alan Tate.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 for obituary information at any time.

Source: Register-News
Date: November 19, 2004
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman