Gertie Mae (Waymack) Vineyard

Gertie Mae (Waymack) Vineyard, 91, surrounded by her loving husband and four children, peacefully passed away at her home on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. A visitation will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Geneseo Chapel. Private family services will be held the following day, and she will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery-Geneseo. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Geneseo Education Foundation P.O. Box 211 Geneseo, IL, 61254.

Gertie was born on December 9, 1934, in Cabot, Arkansas, the 10th of 16 children born to Oscar and Myrtle (Carrington) Waymack. Gertie married William D. Vineyard in Cabot, Arkansas on May 18, 1956.  They later moved to Hastings Nebraska.  John Deere brought them to Illinois in 1963 where they first lived in Colona before moving to Geneseo. 

After moving to Illinois, Gertie earned a degree in Elementary Education from Marycrest College, while raising her 4 children, and then took a job with the Geneseo School District teaching 5th grade for 28 years.  While teaching she earned her master’s degree in education from Western Illinois.

Together Gertie and Bill raised four children.  Those children later married and gave them four grandsons, a great-grandson, and great-granddaughter.

She enjoyed traveling, quilting, playing cards and board games, and especially spending time with her large family.  Gertie also enjoyed exploring genealogy and was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Gertie is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Bill; daughter Cindy (Dennis) Frisk, grandson Curt Frisk; daughter Stephanie (Rodger) Rickman, grandson Royce (Jen) Rickman, and great-grandchildren Brock and Bryli Rickman, grandson David Rickman; son James (Robyn) Vineyard; son Billy (Teresa) Vineyard, and grandson Grant Vineyard; brothers Jerry Waymack and Ron (Carma) Waymack, and sister Ann (Robert) Gilliam.

Gertie was proceeded in death by her parents, Oscar “Loney” and Myrtle Waymack; siblings, Mack Waymack, Lorene “Sister” Barrentine, Alcidean “Scooter” Johnson, Natalie Goforth, Verlene Williamson, Charlie Waymack, Ray Waymack, Mary Beth Waymack, Odis Waymack, Forrest “Buddy” Waymack, Louise Williams and Gene Waymack.

The Vineyard family would like to thank Heartland Hospice, and especially Gertie’s weekly caregivers, Megan and Amber for the wonderful, compassionate, and loving care given to our loved one.