Gerald L Link

He was born April 30, 1923 in Pekin to Walter Eugene and Mary Augusta (Grossweiler) Link, he married Mary Louise Graber on April 20, 1946 in Waukegan. She died September 29, 2018 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Arthur Link and Walter Link and one sister, Patience Shirley Tindall.

Also surviving are three sons, Gary (Claudia) Link of Pekin, John (Marsha) Link of Morton, and James (Nadine) Link of Pekin; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Jerry was a World War II veteran. He was drafted in March of 1943. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant with Company B, 157th Infantry, 45th Division. He saw action and defended freedom first in the Rome-Arno campaign, also in Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was a decorated veteran and discharged after the end of the war in December of 1945.

Jerry worked at Caterpillar, Inc. as a machine operator for 35 years, retiring in 1985.

Jerry was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. He also was a past member of Pekin Moose Family Center 916 and William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin.

He was a loving father and adoring husband. As a family they looked forward to their annual vacations in Wisconsin, where his boys learned the art of camping, fishing, playing horseshoes and cards. He and his wife also enjoyed wintering in Florida with friends.

His memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 11, 2019 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, with Father Michael Andrejek as the celebrant. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Inurnment will follow the memorial Mass at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to The Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758571, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com