Gerald E. Hill

Gerald E. Hill, 84, of Pekin, having received the Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at 6:57 pm Sunday, January 7, 2024 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Jerry was born on May 26, 1939 in Pekin to Orrin and Katherine (Givando) Hill. He married Glenna Jane Doss on November 19, 1960 at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Peoria. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Lori Miller; one granddaughter, Alaina Miller; two brothers, Orrin and John Hill; and one sister, Kay Cook. Surviving are: his treasured wife of sixty three years, Glenna; Sister-in-Law, Jorita Hill of Pekin; two sons, Michael (Lisa) Hill of Pekin, David (Rita) Hill of Cherry Valley, IL; one daughter, Elizabeth (Schad) Martin of Pekin;son-in-law, Darren Miller; eleven grandchildren, Amanda (Sean) Casper, Amanda Olson, Amber (Jorrdan) Orr, Blain (Grace) Hill, Dylan Lemons, Mitchell Hill, T.J. Hill, Kelly Hill, Chase (Laura) Hill, Jenna Martin and Connor Martin; and ten great-grandchildren, Cecilia, Maggie, Ashton, Piper, Noah, Ariana, Chloe, Rayne, Elliana, and Javier. Jerry worked as lead Caster at Keystone Steel and Wire for 43 years, retiring in 2001. He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was one of the Sacristans charged with unlocking the church early in the morning and setting up for Mass. He was a home bound minister, Extra Ordinary minister of Holy Communion, RCIA sponsor for many on their journey into the church, and volunteered in many other ways over the years. He was a longtime volunteer escort at Pekin Hospital, an extremely hard-working interior/exterior painter, overall resolute handyman, and self-proclaimed "doctor" of scrapes, cuts, and broken bones. He enjoyed walking throughout his hometown of Pekin and treasured his experience of backpacking across England. He was a hard worker, who did whatever it took to provide for his family. His greatest love was his wife, family and as he often said, "Paw Paw Loves . . . . !" A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 13, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Michael Andrejek as celebrant. A Rosary Service will be held at 9:30 AM, led by Deacon Mark Wilder. A visitation will be from 10:00 -11:00 AM on Saturday also at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin. Jerrys arrangements have been entrusted to Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory. To view the live stream of Jerry's Mass visit Jerry Hill Memorial Mass Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Building Fund or Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception 2408 West Heading Ave. West Peoria, IL 61604. To leave an online condolence, visit www.hendersonfuneralcare.com Memorial Mass Saturday, January 13, 2024 11:00 AM St Joseph Catholic Church 303 S. 7th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Rosary Service Saturday, January 13, 2024 9:30 AM St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 303 S. 7th St Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Saturday, January 13, 2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 303 S. 7th St Pekin,IL 61554