Jerome "Jerry" Rose

"Jerry"

Age 86, and lifelong resident of Dwight, Illinois, died Sunday, July 24, 2022 at Heritage Health in Dwight.

Born September 24, 1935 at Dwight Community Hospital, Jerry was a son of James and Sophie (Kunis) Rose. He was raised in rural Dwight and graduated from Dwight High School with the Class of 1953. Jerry worked on the family farm before being drafted into the United States Army in November of 1958. On May 23, 1959, he married Laura Jean Elsner at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Dwight, and together they would live for a time in Germany while he was stationed there in the military. Jerry was honorably discharged from military service in September of 1960 and returned to Dwight where he and his wife would live and raise their family. He gained employment with Ambler's Texaco in Dwight as a mechanic before pursuing a career as a meat cutter. Jerry would work at several grocery stores, including the A&P Grocery Store in Pontiac, Illinois, SuperValu in Dwight, and Chipains Fresh Market in Lemont, Illinois before he retired at the age of 62.

He was a member of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Dwight and a past member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 182 in Pontiac. Jerry was always a mechanic at heart and took great pride in working on his own cars. He was always tinkering with something and always on the lookout for his next project. He was a devoted family man and was a wonderful caregiver to his children. Jerry was a social man who loved catching up with his friends and going out for coffee. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work and kindness, and will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Survivors include his son, David J. (Lucie) Rose of Saint Charles, Missouri, two grandchildren: Joshua (Angela) Rose of Saint Peters, Missouri and Heidi (Darryn) Rose-Fiscus of San Antonio, Texas; three great grandsons: Caden, Everett, and Griffin; two sisters: Ann (the late Chester) Kuta of California and Marjorie (Lester) Hansen of Dwight; as well as many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; two children: Douglas and Christina Rose; and nine brothers and sisters: Walter, Thomas, Leo, Harold, Joseph, Donald, Rita, Irene, and Marie.

Per Jerry's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, 126 West Mazon Avenue, in Dwight on Friday, July 29, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service, 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Chris Haake presiding, and burial with full military honors will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dwight.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jerry's memory to: Alzheimer's Association - Illinois Chapter, 8430 West Bryn Mawr Road, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois 60631 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, www.michaeljfox.org

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Jerry's memorial page via social media.

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. (815-634-2125) www.ReevesFuneral.com