S. L. Gernstetter

Dr. S. L. Gernstetter, M.D.
Sangwill Leon Gernstetter, 89, of Poplar Bluff died Sunday, March 16, 2008 of Mylodysplasia at the Garden View Care Center of Chesterfield, in St. Louis, MO.

Dr. Gernstetter was born July 8, 1918, in New York City, New York. He had been a resident of Poplar Bluff for 61 years before relocating to St. Louis in 2006. Dr. Gernstetter was a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Medicine class of 1943. His greatest joy and achievement was practicing his career as an Orthopedic Surgeon in Poplar Bluff, Mo. for over 50 years. His life was his work and his favorite patients were the little children. Dr. Gernstetter touched many lives during his career and gave a lot of people a second chance to physically enjoy life. He was an accomplished violinist and enjoyed the cultural arts. Dr. Gernstetter's favorite hobbies were tennis, horse racing, golf, photography, and traveling the world. He enjoyed spending time with his sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dr. Gernstetter was a member of the Southern Medical Association, American Fracture Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Louis Orthopaedic Society and the Butler-Wayne-Ripley-Carter Medical Society. He served as Chief of Staff of Lucy Lee Hospital, and served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army during World War II.

On Aug. 2, 1947, he married Mary Ann (Ginter) Gernstetter. She preceded him in death in Dec. 2005.

Survivors include four sons, Roger Gernstetter of Boulder, CO., Barry Gernstetter and wife Kim of Eureka, MO., Kenneth Gernstetter of Poplar Bluff, and Rob Gernstetter of Chicago, IL.; five grandchildren, Amy Stanton of Ballwin, MO., Jessica Hanson of Ballwin, MO., Kathryn Hickman of Eureka, MO., Blake Gernstetter of Chicago, IL., and Dylan Gernstetter of Chicago, IL; six great-grandchildren, Abby Brown of Ballwin, MO., Wesley Gernstetter of Eureka, MO., Jacob Stanton of Ballwin, MO., Madeline Stanton of Ballwin, MO., Keiley Hickman of Eureka, MO., William Hanson of Ballwin, MO.; three nephews, Stephen Zsenai of Franklin, NJ., Bob Benjamin of New York, NY., Jason Gernstetter of Cleveland, OH; three nieces, Barbara Fee of Las Vegas, NV, Ellen Benjamin of Shaker Heights, OH., and Carly Gernstetter of Cleveland, OH.; one sister, Abbie Benjamin of Shaker Heights, OH.; one brother, Jim Gernstetter of Cleveland, OH.; one sister-in-law, Sharon Gernstetter; and one brother-in-law, Kenneth Benjamin of Shaker Heights, OH.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Katie (Neffler) Gernstetter.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2008 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. A graveside service with full military honors will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2008 at the City Cemetery in Poplar Bluff, MO.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff, P.O. Box 55, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902.