Jerry D. Gregory

Born March 7, 1939 in Clifford to William and Ruth (Martin) Gregory, he married Jacqueline Jeanne “Jackie” Johnson to July 2, 1961 at Second Reformed Church in Pekin. She died August 24, 2009 in Manito. He also was preceded in death by one grandson, Chad D. Creech on July 12, 1999; his son-in-law, Jackie Creech; one brother, Ronald Gregory and one sister, Glenda Fay Lowder.

Surviving are two daughters, Kim (Brad Glassey) Creech and Jana (Steve) Swisher, both of Pekin; one son, Mark (Tina Dains) Gregory of Pekin; five grandchildren, Cassie (Dave) Lannert, Shawna (Korey) Jablonski, both of Pekin, Allison (Sean Peters) Gregory of Wichita, Kansas, Kendra (Cam Hunter) Swisher of Peoria and Bryson Gregory of East Peoria; five great-grandchildren, Avery Lannert, Boone Lannert, Kamden Jablonski, Oaklyn Jablonski and Elias Hunter and one another great-grandson expected in February.

A 1957 graduate of Pekin Community High School, Jerry worked for Keystone Steel & Wire Company in Bartonville for 40 years, retiring in 1997 from the shipping department. He was a past head union steward at Keystone.

Jerry was very involved with his grandchildren and loved attending their activities and sporting events. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, four wheeling and swimming in his pool with his grandkids. He was a former member of Pekin Moose Lodge 916, Peoria Sportsman Club, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, National Rifle Association and 3 Lakes Sportsman Club near Victoria. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and coached basketball and baseball in earlier years for his son, Mark, through the Union Mission, Spring Lake, Little League and Pony League, both in Pekin. Jerry also trained award winning hunting dogs for many years and was a field trail judge for Springer Spaniels. He volunteered for 10 years with the St. Jude Pekin to Peoria Run in memory of his grandson, Chad.

Jerry had attended Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin.

His graveside funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 8, 2024 at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin. Paul Helmig, Sr. will officiate. No visitation is planned. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

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