Gerald F. Playle passed away Oct. 12, 2009 at his home in Crossvile, Tenn.

He was born in Brownsdale in 1934. He spent his childhood in Brownsdale and graduated in 1951 from Austin High School. He then joined the U.S. Air Force where he spent 27 years. After retirement, he worked for TRW in Utah for 15 years and then retired in Tennessee. He married Betty Farrell in 1955 and they were blessed with five children.

He is survived by his wife Betty; daughters, Diedrie (Joe) Valenti, Kristy (Terry) Kordewick; sons, Dirk (Panza), Kurt, and Darin (Angela); brother Bill (Shirley); sisters-in-law, Ida Foster, Lila (John) Jensen, Judy (Con) Shafer; brother-in-law, Larry Lowe; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at a later date with burial at the Brownsdale Cemetery. Memorials to be sent to the American Cancer Society or Cancer Research.