Gerald E. Bills
Gerald E. Bills, 88, Columbia City, died at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 at Oak Pointe.
He was born on Aug. 26, 1929 in Whitley County, Indiana a son of Charles A. and Thelma Odetta (Monroe) Bills. His formative years were spent at Troy Cedar Lake.
On Aug. 26, 1950 he was united in marriage to Jeanette Fry. They made their home in Columbia City until 1952 when they moved to Etna Troy Township. In January 2013 they moved to Oak Pointe. Mrs. Bills died February 14, 2017
A tool and die maker for 37 years, Gerald worked for Plew Tool, LML, Weatherhead and Dana, retiring in 1997. In 1975 he began delivering bibles to Whitley County Jail continuing the jail and Indiana prison ministry until 2012
He was a member of New Hope Wesleyan Church, Gideons International, Whitley County Jail and Indiana Prison Fellowship.
Surviving relatives include three children, Kenneth E. (Katherine) Bills of Columbia City, Kathryn D. Bills of Clermont Fla. and Terrilyn E. (Jerry “Grub”) Zumbrun of Columbia City; 11 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; four great great grandsons; two brothers, Paul Bills and Leslie Bills, both of Columbia City; and a sister, Neva Harris of Larwill.
He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas D. Bills; a granddaughter; three great grandchildren; a brother, Larry Bills; and a sister, Marjorie Geiger.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with visitation after 10 a.m. Visitation will also be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Gideons International or Prison Fellowship.