Gerald Weston, 88, of Griswold, IA, died Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold.

Gerald John Weston was born on May 30, 1922, the son of John Allen and Catherine Caroline (Lawson) Weston at Griswold. He graduated from Griswold High School in 1939 and in 1942 entered the U. S. Army. He served in the Pacific Theatre and was part of Merrill's Marauders in the China-Burma Campaign. Following his service in WWII, he returned to Griswold and on May 29, 1946, married Pearl Elaine Williams in the Catholic church in Atlantic. Gerald was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the Operating Engineers of Omaha. After his retirement in the 1980's, he enjoyed his horses, mules, gardening, hunting, fishing, and family. He was a member of the Griswold American Legion Post # 508 and had been grand marshal of the Soldiers Reunion, the Pony Express Riders of Iowa, and had participated in the River City Roundup Trail Ride.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Linda and her husband Roger Kennedy, his grandsons Peter and Paul Weston, his brother Cecil, his sister Shirley Doolittle, his brothers-in –law Raymond and Roy Williams, and his nephew Donnie Weston.

Survivors include his wife Pearl of Griswold, his children: Lea Ann (Mark) Beltz of Cedar Rapids, IA; Lorna Hesebeck and friend Steve of Anita, IA; Larry (Connie) Weston and Lee (Kathy) Weston both of Griswold; his 16 grandchildren, his 30 great-grandchildren, and his 3 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers Moyne (Pat) of Niles, MI; John (Ferrie) of Sherrard, IL; Roy (Nancy) of Jordan, NY; Larry (Patty) of Andalusia, IL; and Doug (Lynn) of Audubon, IA; his sister Connie (Marion) Plumb of Underwood, IA; sister-in-law Jane Weston of Toponas, CO; and brother-in-law Earl (Jackie) Williams of Oakland, IA, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11:30 AM with Pastor Leon Hodges, Hospice Chaplain officiating. Preceding the memorial service, a visitation with the family will begin at 9:30 AM Saturday. Cremation has taken place and burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Pleasant Township Cemetery south of Griswold.