Ella Mae Smith

She was born on July 16, 1927, in Campbell Hill, IL, the daughter of the late Herman and Josephine (Bear) Gerberding.

She was a CNA in the home health care industry and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Springfield.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Brenda (husband Dave) Bollhorst of Braidwood, IL, Vicki (husband Curt) Walker of Louden, TN, and Debby (husband Frosty) Clouser of Springfield; beloved family members Rodger (wife Kathleen) Gerberding of Council Bluff, IA and his daughter Katrinka (husband Kevin) Kochanek and her daughters, Grace, Jane and Ruth; 4 grandchildren, Ashlyn (husband Elgin) Walker-Postlewait, Elise (husband Kevin) Hopkins, Lyndi Clouser, and Amber Clouser; 1 great-grandson Noah Postlewait; 2 brothers, Alvin Gerberding of Kankakee, IL and Leroy Gerberding of Buckingham, IL; and several other loving nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter Pamela Lynne Smith; a brother Wilbert Gerberding, and a sister Dorothy Sage.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield, where visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 from 10 am until time of the funeral service at 1 pm. Rev. Nicole Cox will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Sulphur Springs Cemetery in Loami, IL.

Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, Villa East Health Care Center, or First United Methodist Church.

Please visit the online obituary at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.