Geri A. Null

Geraldine (Geri) Ann Null, age 83 years, a resident of Goreville, Illinois passed peacefully from her beloved home into the loving arms of Jesus, September 9, 2024, at 5:50PM, surrounded by her adoring family. Born March 29, 1941 to Oscar James Malles and Genevieve Hazel Malles (Dearman) in Winona, Minnesota at home. Her survivors include: Her 2 children – Michelle Ann (Rev. George) Bankston of Greenville, IL and Timothy James (Meesha) Null of Marion, IL; 5 grandchildren – Brittany (Rev. Brian) Staley of Marion, Illinois, Rev. Dustin (Jennifer) Bankston of Greenville, Illinois, Katlyn (Dylan) Rose of Plymouth, Indiana, Makenzie Prince of Goreville, Illinois and Ashlyn Cole of Marion, Illinois; 10 great grandchildren – Sydney, Sage, Sunday, Addalynne, Reagan, Paisley, Lily, Hayven, Allison, and Braylynn; 2 brothers –James (Sandy) Malles of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Mick (Linda) Malles of Bluff Siding, Wisconsin; 1 sister – Susan Greer of Durand, Wisconsin; and many loving nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and church family. In addition to her beloved spouse and parents, she is proceeded in death by her 2 sisters- Gloria Jean Suhr, and Sharon Kay Weeden, and 1 brother -Michael Eugene Malles. Geri graduated from Cochrane Fountain City High School in 1959, and then attended the Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she met her husband. June 11, 1966, she was united in marriage to her beloved Rev. Ronald Gene Null at the United Pentecostal Church in Winona, Minnesota, who proceeded her in death. August 25, 1971 Rev. R.G. Null and Mrs. Null moved to Goreville, Illinois to serve in Pastorship of the First Pentecostal Church of Goreville, where after serving as First Lady for 50 years, she remained a loyal saint. Geri was a lovingly devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She never missed a birthday, holiday, or celebration with her family. She loved Jesus with her whole heart, and you would often find her singing and humming her favorite hymnals or reading her Bible while never ceasing to pray. In her early years she worked at her family store, Malles IGA, in Buffalo, Wisconsin and later owned a resale shop in Goreville, Illinois. She also was an educator at the Educational Resource Center in Carbondale, Illinois; founded by her husband. She enjoyed raising her children and being the Matriarch of her family. Geri was the best dressed to every occasion and loved piecing together new outfits; which resulted in never wearing the same thing twice. She was the life of any party, while somehow never moving from her seat. She enjoyed receiving visitors in her home, and looked forward to special deliveries of delicious food and desserts brought by sweet neighbors, friends, and loved ones. She had a fantastic sense of humor and her giggles would brighten any room she entered. Her many talents included teaching, singing, playing the piano, organ, accordion, quoting scripture during any conversation, being a wonderful listener, and having the gifts of mercy and unconditional love. She loved to collect pens, purses, angels, light up figurines, black skirts, and kitchen items that she never planned to use. She enjoyed reading, going to church, shopping, thrifting, listening to Southern Gospel music, getting her hair done every weekend, traveling with her husband and family, laughing at favorite memories, spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, bragging on her family, and skipping meals to indulge in her favorite desserts. The wise lessons of love, family, grace, and faithfulness to the Kingdom of God that she passed down are infinite, and her legacy will live on forever in those who loved her. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2024, at 2 P.M. at the First Pentecostal Church, 915 North Broadway, Goreville, Illinois. Rev. George Bankston, Rev. Dustin Bankston, Rev. Brian Staley, and Rev. Kevin Cox will officiate. Burial will be in the Cana Cemetery, north of Goreville. Visitation will be conducted Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 12 Noon until the service hour at 2 P.M. at the church. Memorials may be made to the First Pentecostal Church, P.O. Box 355, Goreville, Illinois 62939. For those unable to personally attend the funeral service, the ceremony will be livestreamed via the First Pentecostal Church – Goreville Facebook page. To share a memory of Sister Null or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, please visit www.baileyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Geri A. Null

March 29, 1941 - September 9, 2024