Gerald D. Heldenbrand 70 of Winston passed away Monday, February 11, 2013 at Branson MO. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday February 15 at the Crossroads Assembly of God Church in Cameron, MO Visitation will be 6-8pm Thursday evening at the Church. Friends may call after 11am Thursday at McWilliams Funeral Home in Gallatin. Burial will be at the Winston Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Crossroads Assembly of God Church in Cameron or the Faith Community Christian Center in Bethany, MO, % McWilliams Funeral Home in Gallatin.

Gerald D. Heldenbrand was born November 21, 1942 to Lawrence and Gladys (Gooding) Heldenbrand in rural Winston. where he graduated high school in 1960. Gerald married Carolyn Wright August 6, 1961 in Winston. The couple moved to Kansas City for a short period of time where he was an apprentice for a cabinet maker. Gerald and Carolyn soon returned back “home” to the family farm to work the land he so dearly loved. In the early years, he was a dairy farmer, soon expanding his operation to raising cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens as well as row crops. He was well known for growing watermelons and took pride in sharing his crop with friends and family. Gerald also grew large quantities of sweet corn and strawberries. Gerald was skilled with his hands and took great pride in working with wood. He looked forward to building luxury deer stands in his woodshop. Gerald loved the land and the outdoors, always eager for the time he could go fishing, deer hunting or coon hunting. In 2000, Gerald was employed at Missouri Crossroads Correctional Center, retiring after 8 ½ years of service. All the while, he continued to farm.

Gerald and Carolyn attended Church for over 20 years at the Faith Community Christian Center in Bethany, and the last several years attended the Crossroads Assembly of God Church in Cameron. In 1977, the couple traveled to Guatemala to do missionary work. Gerald was a man of faith, who served God as well as family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather whose legacy of hope, faith and love will live on through his family. Every act of kindness and all the things that Gerald accomplished will live on for years to come.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Reuben, Loren, Robert and Kenny Heldenbrand, sisters, Letha Fisher, Shirley Dela Cruz, Bertha Steele, Florence Boring and Linda Maxine and his grandson Jordan.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Carolyn of the home, daughters, Carrie Cook and husband Milton of Winston, Terri Williams and husband Roger of Cameron, MO, Mari Nelson and husband Robert of Winston, MO. Gerald has 9 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.