Gerald Henry Sinkler was born August 24, 1929, in Newton, IA to Joseph and Georgia (Vansice) Sinkler. He died December 21, 2024, at the age of 95.

Gerald was raised in Baxter, IA until 1936, when the family moved to a farm in rural Nevada, IA. Gerald attended Shipley school graduating in 1947. He drove the Shipley school bus starting at the age of 16. He also played on all the sports teams the school had available at the time.

After high school Gerald continued to work on the family farm. He got a pilot's license and joined the Air National Guard. On March 22nd, 1951, he married Bonita Anderson. Soon after his marriage, his National Guard Unit was called up to serve on Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine during the Korean War. He wanted to fly airplanes, but the Air Force needed a good typist, and at 140 words per minute, Gerald became the records keeper for the officers and enlisted men. During the time serving on Dow Air Force Base daughter Susan was born at the base hospital.

After Gerald's service time was over, he farmed a few years during which time son Craig was born. In 1956 the family moved to Tulsa, OK where Gerald attended Aircraft Mechanic School, graduating in 18 months. He returned to Nevada, IA where he resided the remainder of his life.

Gerald was a man of many skills and talents. He farmed, he was a mechanic, a painter, welder, machine salesman, foreman, and manager. He did electrical, plumbing, home remodeling, and furniture repair. If he needed to do something he didn't know how to do, he got a book or took a class to learn how.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerome and his sister Shirley.

Gerald is survived by his sister, Gloria (Fred) Sharp of Ames, IA; daughter, Susan (Bill) Ellison of Nevada, IA; his son Craig (Marilyn Anne) Sinkler of Everett, WA; grandchildren: Cristy (John) Hoaglun, Jaime (Jim) Johnson, Dustin (Jana) Ellison, and Lisa (Steve) Jurewicz; 5 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service for Gerald at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nevada, IA on April 27th, 2025, at 1 PM.

A graveside service with military honors was held on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery in Nevada.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.