Geraldine "Geri" Fridy

Geraldine “Geri” Dessie (Tarvin) Fridy, 73, of Belleville, IL, passed away on Saturday morning, April 29, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL after suffering a severe stroke. Her daughter Melinda was by her side.

Geri was born on July 5, 1949 in Belleville, IL to Johnnie V. Tarvin and Lillie Mae (Harris) Tarvin, who preceded her in death. Geri graduated from Belleville Township High School West in 1967. She married her high school sweetheart Roger Fridy in 1969 and they were blessed with a daughter born in 1980. Geri and Roger were married a total of 25 years. Roger’s job took them to Kansas and Texas, and then Geri returned to Illinois after their divorce.

Geri had a 40+ year career in insurance, mostly in underwriting and claims, working for multiple companies and in multiple states. In 2013, Geri retired from State Farm and spent her time quilting, playing Yahtzee with friends, meeting up with the Lafayette Lunch Bunch, talking daily with her good friend Billy Mertens, and sharing Facebook posts about her granddaughters. She was known for her signature floral decorating style, love of all things purple, and extreme organization. She often avoided large crowds, but she would never pass up a chance to see a live performance of Dirty Dancing or the Beach Boys.

Geri was a woman of faith and cared deeply for others. She loved reading stories or watching movies that pulled at her heart. She never hesitated to help out a friend with an errand or project. She would surprise her granddaughters with gifts every time she saw them and always sent them on their way with a large number of snacks. She enjoyed loving on her many nieces and nephews with homemade baby blankets and having quality time with them coloring or crafting. Geri’s greatest joy was spending time with her beloved family and friends.

Geri is survived by her daughter, Melinda (Joshua) Harger; grandchildren, Sophia Nichols, Makayla Harger, Alaina Harger; siblings, Patsy A. Tarvin, Johnnie V. (Paula) Tarvin Jr., Linda L. Brueggemann, Maryann Anderson; nieces, Kenlie (Sean) Motszko, Lisa (Nathan) Wood, Tina (Daniel) Juenger, Carrie (John) Sheldon, and April (Douglas) Lopinot; nephew, Michael (Lisa) Brueggemann; great nieces and nephews, Kaeden Motszko, Kolton Motszko, Jacob Wood, Hailey Wood, Carson Wood, Chase Juenger, Jonathon Brueggemann, Joshua Brueggemann, Kylee Brueggemann, Jordan Sheldon, Ethan Sheldon, Christian Sheldon, Codi Harris, Avery Lopinot, and Nora Lopinot; “honorary” family, Ashlee Schuler and Amber Ward; plus countless friends.

Geri will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the family to plant trees with purple flowers in memory of Geri.

A funeral service for Geri will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Lake View Funeral

Home, Fairview Heights, IL. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, from 11:00

AM to 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens.