Gerald Bruce "Gary" Poertner

1SG Gerald B. “Gary” Poertner (US ARMY, Retired), 60, of Hinesville died Friday at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, KY, following a short illness. A native of Traverse City, Michigan, he had lived in Hinesville since 1992. First Sergeant Poertner served in the US Army for 22 years. He was a Desert Storm Veteran and a Life Member of the VFW. After retiring from the Army he worked for Liberty Concrete for 20 years. He was a member of St. Stephen First Martyr Catholic Church. Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Gudrun Poertner of Hinesville; son, Markus Poertner (Regina) of Hinesville; three daughters, Jennifer Dolman (Jonathan) of Yuma, AZ, Michelle Poertner and Natasha Poertner of Hinesville; sister, Evelyn Ayres of Tennessee, three brothers, and five grandchildren. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Stephen First Martyr Catholic Church. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Georgia Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Glennville. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Bruce "Gary" Poertner, please visit our flower store.