Wayne County Press
Fairfield Illinois
Monday, April 22, 1996
Page 2

Mrs. Emily Racster Gehl, 88, of Mattoon, died at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 18, 1996, at her home in that city.

She was a former resident of Cisne.

Mrs. Gehl was co-owner and operator of Gehl's True Value Hardware Store with her husband, John, at Mattoon.

Funeral services were conducted from the Mattoon First Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon, with Dr. John Besore III officiating.  Interment was in Dodge Grove Cemetery. The Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Gehl was born at Albion Mar. 5, 1908. the daughter of Charles A. and Olive Utley Racster.  On Jan. 31, 1943, in Orlando, Fla., she was married to John D. Gehl. He passed away Mar. 26, 1992. Her parents and two sisters also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Gehl was a member of Mattoon First Presbyterian Church, the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and an active member of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Guild and the Mattoon Golf & Country Club.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Deacons Fund or the Lincolnland Visiting Nurses Association.

Surviving are nieces and nephews, Susanne Ryan Twohey, of Champaign; and Stephen and Michael Ryan, both of Mattoon; and their families.