Inez Pauline Gehlken

Inez Pauline Gehlken, 83, of Sedalia passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at her home in Sedalia, MO. She was born on May 1, 1935, in Windsor, MO, the daughter of Elmer Samuel and Pearl Alice (Smith) Christian, who preceded her in death.

On September 10, 1955, in Sedalia, she was united in marriage to Ernest J. Gehlken who resides of the home.

She graduated from Lincoln High School and completed two years of business college. Pauline and Ernie met while working for Beatrice Foods Company. After the company closed down their Sedalia location, Pauline began working at the Pettis County Circuit Clerk’s office, where she retired in 2000.

Pauline accepted the Lord as her Savior at the age of thirteen at Brandon United Methodist Church, Windsor, MO. In 1955, she followed in obedience to God’s command and was baptized into Christ at Calvary Baptist Church, Sedalia, MO. Pauline was an active member at Calvary Baptist Church for over forty years and played the organ for the church. Pauline and Ernie were one of the founding families of Cornerstone Baptist Church where they have been actively serving. Serving was her love language: making countless meals for people; making and delivering homemade cookies and bread for many visitors; caring for and visiting the elderly; delivering Meals on Wheels until she was unable. Besides her musical and cooking talents, Pauline had a gift of sewing, making numerous clothes for her family and other people: quilts, wedding dresses, and nearly 100 baby quilts. She was definitely talented. But as for our family, she loved us all so well. She gave of herself to the very end and has left us with an amazing heritage in the Lord. In addition to her husband Ernie, she is survived by two daughters, Vickie (Ben) Embree of Sedalia and Jill (Scott) Fields of Katy, TX; two sisters, Gladys Riecke, Columbus, OH; and Eunice Beeman, Windsor, MO. She has five granddaughters: Dana (Brad) Clemons, Kirstin (Sheldon) Swan, Cara (Brandon) Bellegarde, Leah (Gerardo) Sanchez, and Allison (Alec) Mohon. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Jacob Clemons, Claire Clemons, William Clemons, Jaylen Bellegarde, Finley Bellegarde, Elodie Swan, Lively Swan, and Gabriella Sanchez.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 30, 2018, at Cornerstone Baptist Church with Pastor Chris Guffey officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 29, 2018, at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.

Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery, Sedalia.

Pallbearers will be Brad Clemons, Sheldon Swan, Brandon Bellegarde, Gerardo Sanchez, Alec Mohon, Jacob Clemons, and Will Clemons.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church or Crossroads Hospice in care of the funeral chapel.