Jerry Donald Pilgrim, Jr., age 51, of Alden-Park Strathmoor Nursing Home, formerly of Lyndon, IL, met with his Lord at 10:05 a.m., on Sunday, November 30, 2014.
Jerry was born April 18, 1963, in Morrison, IL, the son of Jerry D., Sr. and Lois J. (Johnson) Pilgrim. He attended the Prophetstown-Lyndon Schools and received his GED from Blackhawk College of Clinton, IA, on March 25, 1982. He worked for Dixon State School, FDL Foods of Rochelle, and Metro-Con Construction of Colorado Station, TX, before his car accident on November 22, 1984, which left him a quadriplegic. As a young man, Jerry enjoyed Scouting and was able to go Wilderness camping in Michigan. He enjoyed camping and canoeing. He was in Little League baseball. Jerry liked fishing, swimming, and tube rafting. He loved his dogs, Wendy and Tiffany, and especially spending time with his friends. He loved motorcycles and was a “Harley” guy who rode a Kawasaki and listened to music constantly. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Morrison. He was baptized on June 16, 1963, and confirmed on May 27, 1977, in that church.
He is survived by his mother, Lois Pilgrim of Lyndon; his father and stepmother, Jerry, Sr. and JoAnne Pilgrim of Davenport, IA; a half-brother, Jeffrey (Natalie) Pilgrim; a half-sister, Jill (Eric Teel) Pilgrim.
He was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents, John and Etta Pilgrim; paternal grandparents, J. Donald and Doris Pilgrim; maternal grandparents, S. Melvin and Vernetta Johnson; two maternal cousins, Jan Crossman and Rick Johnson; three uncles, Charles Buhlman, Dick Crossman, and Kenneth Johnson; paternal uncle and aunt, Kenneth and Judy Church.
A memorial has been established to St. Peter Lutheran Sunday School, 601 N. Jackson Street, Morrison, IL, 61270; Happy Tails Humane Society, 1408 McNeil Road, Rock Falls, IL, 61071; Lyndon’s Richmond Park, c/o Lyndon Village Clerk, 605 W. Commercial, Lyndon, IL, 61261-0217; a charity of your choice.
Cremation rites were accorded by the McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls, IL.
Services will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 601 N. Jackson, Morrison, IL, on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Mike Winkleman officiating after a gathering at noon.
A private inurnment will be at Lyndon Township Cemetery in Lyndon, IL, at a later date.