Jesus said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." John 14:3 That is what He did.

On Saturday, November 4, 2023, God took Gerald Thiele of Vernon, Texas home to rest in the arms of Jesus his Savior.

Gerald was born November 6, 1934 in Shawano, Wisconsin. Was the son of the late Harry and Margaret Thiele. He married Suzanne C. Ariens on June 8, 1957 in Brillion, Wisconsin.

He was a 1954 graduate of Concordia High School and Jr. College in Milwaukee, WI, graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO. On July 12, 1959 he was ordained and installed as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Lockett, TX, serving that congregation for 30 years, retiring Dec. 31, 1989. He served the Texas District of the Lutheran Church as Circuit Counselor for 25 years. After retirement he served the church by filling vacancies and continued to do fill-in preaching. He also served on many boards in the community. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, RVing, old cars, and the coffee shop.

He is survived by his wife Suzanne Thiele of the home; daughter Cheryl Mattil and husband Mike of Bells, TX; son, Matthew Thiele of Seymour, TX; daughter, Nancy Graham and husband Eddie of Vernon, TX; daughter, Laurel Hislope of Vernon, TX; sister, Gloria Schmeling of Milwaukee, WI, eighteen grandchildren with spouses, twenty great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home.

Grave side rites with the family will be the next day at Wilbarger Memorial Park, under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Steven Brummett officiating.

Memorials can be given to the Zion Lutheran Building Fund.