Dr. D.W. Bill Gerlits

GERLITS, ENDSLEY, MCLURE

Posted By: Harvey W. Henry (email)
Date: 3/17/2009 at 13:10:38

Dr. D.W. Bill Gerlits
Born: April 05, 1929
Died: December 31, 2008
Services:A Celebration of Life Service at 7:00 pm at North Liberty Methodist Church with Reverend Alecia Williams officiating.
Visitation:The family will greet friends Tuesday, January 6, 2009 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at North Liberty United Methodist Church, 85 N. Jones Blvd, in North Liberty.
Dr. D.W. “Bill” Gerlits, 79, of 706 12th Avenue in Coralville, died Wednesday, December 31, 2009 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City from complications of congestive heart failure.

Bill was born April 5, 1929 in Iowa City, the son of Dr. W.B. and Margaret (Endsley) Gerlits.
Graduating from West Branch High School, he then received a bachelor’s degree and DDS degrees from the University of Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1952 and also as a Hospital Corpsman with the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War, 1951-1952. Bill practiced dentistry and did medical research in Oregon. He taught various science courses for the Cedar Rapids School District for 24 years, retiring in 1991.

He had acted professionally, on television, stage and radio and in motion pictures. Bill worked with the Iowa City Community Theatre for more than 35 years, being involved in over 100 productions. He acted, directed and created special effects for the theatre. He was a director with the Iowa City Footlighters and worked with several independent production companies. Bill also was involved in several productions with the Old Creamery Theatre when it was located in Garrison, Iowa.

Bill was a volunteer guide with the University of Iowa (Iowa Hall) Museum and had worked with special effects for various motion picture productions and produced several television industrial/instructional tapes.

Survivors include his loving wife Janice of Coralville and their two children, David Gerlits (Bobbi) of Franklin, MA. and Kristine McLure (John) of Iowa City; three grandchildren, Henry Gerlits of Franklin, MA., Elizabeth (Bessie) Gerlits of Hopedale, MA. and J. D. McLure of Iowa City.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Community Theatre or Iowa City Crisis Center.