July 25, 1936 – March 30, 2025
M. Gerlene McPeak, 88, passed away peacefully at home on March 30, 2025, surrounded by her beloved daughter and granddaughters.
Born on July 25, 1936, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Gerlene was the daughter of Ophelia “Furn” Wills and Orville R. Mayes. She was raised in Excelsior Springs and graduated with the Class of 1954. From a young age, she worked alongside her mother and stepfather, Walt Hatfield — whom she lovingly considered a father — in the café business.
In May 1957, she married her Army pen pal and the love of her life, Bobby Gene McPeak. As an Army wife, she lived in several states and even spent a year in Germany. This union welcomed a daughter, Sherry Ann McPeak. Though they divorced, they reconnected many years later, remaining best friends until Bobby’s passing.
Gerlene built a long and dedicated career, besides the work in her mother’s cafes, Gerlene worked at McCleary’s Thornton Minor Hospital from 1962 until its closing in 1973. She then joined First Federal Savings & Loan Bank, where she rose from bank teller to branch manager, retiring in July 1998 after 25 years of service.
A woman of many talents and passions, Gerlene was an exceptional seamstress, quilter, and artist. She enjoyed hunting with her stepfather Virgil, passing those traditions on. Gerlene loved attending auctions and was an avid collector of many cherished treasures … maybe too many. Mystery novels and puzzles were her favorite pastimes. She had a lifelong love for animals. Above all, she was the heart and soul of her family — a true one-woman village, always giving, supporting, and loving unconditionally even if you received “The Look” you were still loved.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Furn (Virgil) Nunn; father, Orville (Elizabeth) Mayes; stepfather, Walter Hatfield; her beloved Bobby McPeak; and her son-in-law, John Zismer.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Rob) Christopher; granddaughters, Amanda and Jessica Barton; great-grandchildren, Seth Barton, Summer Rhodus, and Jeyden Donley; and great-great-granddaughter, Ella Vardy (Seth Barton); half siblings, Rita Berndt and Donald Mayes; and cousins, Jim (Rhonda) Wills and Mike Wills.
A celebration of Gerlene’s life will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Bross & Spidle Funeral Home in Excelsior Springs. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a short service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place immediately after at Crown Hill Cemetery in Excelsior Springs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Excelsior Springs Animal Shelter.
Gerlene’s kindness, humor, strength, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
