Gilbert Leo Kretzer died Saturday, July 21, 2012, after a brief illness. He was born in Lauderdale County, October 1, 1920, to Fred and Edna Kretzer. He is survived by 2 daughters, Ann (Charles E.) Hester, Killen and Becky (Jerry) Hopper, Hoover; brothers Charles Kretzer and Doyce Kretzer; sisters, Louise Wilson and Helen Dean; grandchildren, Leigh Ann Hanback, Jeff Hester, James Hopper, Jason Hopper, Ava Kretzer Blevins; 11 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and Vertice, his wife of 70 years, who died January 19, 2012; sons, Jerry Gilbert, Brandon Frederick; brothers, William and Royce; sister, Evalene Pettus. Bro. Kretzer graduated form Lexington High School in 1939 and attended Pepperdine University, Freed Hardeman College and Florence State Teachers College. He taught at Mars Hill Bible School in its formative years and preached for Churches of Christ for 70 years in the following locations, Lexington, Weeden Heights, York, Lee Hi(Florence Blvd.), Butler, Valdosta, and retired from Center Hill Church of Christ in 1995 as a full time minister. He continued to preach and teach in retirement. The funeral will be Monday, July 23, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Florence Boulevard Church of Christ. Visitation will be from noon until 3 p.m. at the church with Charles Kretzer, Danny Pettus and Chris Kemp officiating. The burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens. The Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mars Hill Bible School for the Jerry Kretzer Scholarship Fund. The family would like to thank special caregivers, Michael Gean, Joyce and Louis Trousdale.
