GERDENICS, Joseph J., Jr.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ September 24, 2007 Joseph J. Gerdenics Jr., 74, of Jefferson City died Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, at Heisinger Bluffs. He was born July 16, 1933, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Joseph John and Mary Ann Hauprich Gerdenics. On Dec. 30, 1951, in Lordsburg, N.M., he was united in marriage to Lenoir Hickman, who survives at the home. Joseph worked for Hughes Aircraft Company for 34 years until his retirement as a general supervisor of quality control. He was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Pinetop where he had been active in the Knights of Columbus and recently of St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City, Mo. His biggest passion was playing golf, having three documented holes-in-one. Joseph was also an amateur archeologist and enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling. Other survivors include two daughters, Brenda Hickman of Mexico, and Glenda Ruffner (Dennis) of Russellville; one brother, Roger Gerdenics (Mary) of Tucson; one granddaughter, Kitrina Hoelscher (Jeff) of Jefferson City; two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Jordan Renkemeyer; and two step-great-grandchildren, Dylan and Colton Hoelscher. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1300 N. Greasewood Road in Tucson with Fr. Bill Remmel, SDS, officiating. Private entombment will be held at the Holy Hope Cemetery Mausoleum in Tucson. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the ALS Association or Missouri River Hospice. Arrangements were made under the direction of Houser-Milard Funeral Directors in Jefferson City, Mo.