Gerald Leon Hodge, age 84, of Central City, Illinois, passed away at 6:02 A.M. on Friday, October 28, 2016 at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.  He was born April 6, 1932 in Odin, Illinois, the son of Harry E. and Cecile (Sessions) Hodge.  He married Joanne Adams on May 19, 1950 in Centralia, Illinois and she survives him in Central City, Illinois.

In addition to his wife of 66 years, Mr. Hodge is survived by his sons, Larry Hodge and Randy Hodge, both of Central City, Illinois, daughters, Tammy Hodge of Central City, Illinois and Hildy Smith and friend Mike Schniers of Centralia, Illinois, six grandchildren, Jason Hodge of Salem, Illinois, TJ Hodge and wife Alicia of Walnut Hill, Illinois, Angela Mueller and friend Mark Davis of Centralia, Jay D. Hodge and wife Sara of Centralia, Illinois, Jeremy Hodge and wife Amy of Oklahoma and Noah Smith of Portland, Oregon, several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, two brothers, Eugene Hodge and wife Helen and Bobby Hodge, both of Centralia, Illinois, two sisters, Melba Nolte and husband George of Sandoval, Illinois and Mary Ann Hubbell and husband Lanny of Odin, Illinois, son-in-law, Brian Schrage of Boulder, Illinois, daughters-in-law, Kathy Jo Hodge and Kim Moody, brother-in-law, Vince Ayala of Central City, Illinois, sister-in-law, Delores Hodge of Centralia, Illinois and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hodge was preceded in death by his parents, son, Terry Hodge, two brothers, Kenny Hodge and Willis Hodge and wife Glenda, sister, Darlene Leabart, father-in-law, Pud Adams, mother-in-law, Mildred Adams, daughter-in-law, Jean Hodge, and sister-in-law, Delores Ayala.

Mr. Hodge was of the Baptist Faith.  He was a member of the Centralia Masonic Lodge # 201, Ainad Shriners Temple in East St. Louis, Illinois and Valley of Southern Illinois Scottish Rites in Belleville, Illinois.  He was also a member of the Centralia Moose Family Center 1219 and The Bears in Centralia, Illinois.  He was a union member of the United Transportation Union.  Mr. Hodge enjoyed racing, especially NASCAR and spending time at the river fishing.  He cherished the time he spent with his family and friends.

Mr. Hodge retired in 1990 as a brakeman from Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad/Burlington-Northern Railroad after 40 years of service. He lived most of his life in Centralia, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois, with Pastor Bryan Bennett officiating.  Interment will follow at the Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  Friends may call from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, October 31, 2016 at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois and 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.  A Masonic Service will be accorded by the Centralia Masonic Lodge 201 at 7:45 p.m. on Monday followed by a Shriners walk-through at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made in Mr. Hodge's memory to the Shriners Children's Hospital, First General Baptist Church or Mooseheart and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Hodge's family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on Facebook.