John ‘Jerry’ McReynolds

OHIO, Ill. — John "Jerry" McReynolds, 79, of Ohio, Ill., formerly of Manlius, went to sleep peacefully in his Father's arms on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born March 2, 1938, in Alexis to Harry and Elizabeth McReynolds. He married Dorothy A. Peterson July 1, 1967, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manlius.

Jerry graduated from Alexis High School with the Class of 1956. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

He served on the church council at Trinity and was on the Manlius town board. One of his personal highs was a mission trip to Biloxi, Miss., after a hurricane to help rebuild.

He worked as a mechanic for Manlius Oil and the city of Rock Island Water Department and retired from Area Transportation Trucking, where he had been Driver of the Year in 1996. In his retirement he enjoyed fishing, reading, collecting die cast cars and trucks, and sharing his stories with all who would listen.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy, of Ohio, Ill.; a daughter, Julie (Dale) Ioder of Walnut, and a granddaughter, MacKenzie Ioder of Princeton; a son, John McReynolds, and two granddaughters, Brittany and Maggie; one brother, Harry D. McReynolds of Utah; and brothers-in law and sisters-in law, Chris (Alan) Dale of Walnut, Jan (Gail) Barton of Wyanet and Pat Zurliene of Princeton.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, grandma Mac, his parents, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alvy and Sharon Peterson.

A celebration of his life will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manlius with the Rev. Dan Stalker officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Wyanet V.F.W. and Princeton American Legion. Cremation rites will be accorded after the services at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Homes Crematory in Princeton.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the church in Manlius.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manlius and Aperion Care, Princeton Activity Department.

Online condolences may be left at www.grant-johnsonfh.com.