Gerald Franklin Tracy, 82, of Rochelle passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at Rochelle Rehabilitation Center. Jerry was born Sept. 16, 1929 in Newton, IA the son of Frank and Madge (Rinehart) Tracy. He graduated from Geneseo High School and then attended U of I. In Oct. of 1950 Jerry joined the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War until his Honorable Discharge in Oct. of 1954. Jerry married Mary Ellen Butler on Feb. 25, 1951 in Rochelle, IL. Jerry and Mary Ellen are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle. Jerry was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a Mason in the Horicon Lodge, and a member of the Lions Club. Jerry enjoyed woodworking making cabinets, tables, etc. for his family and taught all who wanted to learn, how. He was a manager at Ace Hardware for many years. Jerry was a health insurance agent at Swift until they moved and then was an independent agent. He and his wife spent part of the winter for 20 years in Florida, where they loved collecting small seashells on the beach. He loved fishing in northern Wisconsin. Jerry loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his wife Mary Ellen of Rochelle; one daughter: Susan (Thomas) Hillison of Rochelle; three sons: Bruce (Cindy Beckmann) Tracy of Overland Park, KS, Brian (Debbie) Tracy of Rockton, IL, Brent (Karen) Tracy of Rochelle, IL; brother: Mike (Coleen) Tracy of Stewartville, MN; ten grandchildren: Krista and Scott Hillison, Alex, Greg and Claire Tracy, Sara (Michael) Barnhart, Stephen, Adam (Kari), Eric and Evan Tracy; four great-grandchildren: Issac, Reuben and Josiah Barnhart, and Jackson Franklin Tracy.
Services will be held 10:00 AM Sat. Oct 29, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle with Rev. Dr. James Tilley officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday Oct. 28, at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home from 4:00 - 7:00 PM with a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle. Burial will be at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle
