Gerald C. Cazel

Gerald Charles Cazel passed away Saturday, September 27, 2014, at St. John's Hospital, Springfield, with his family at his side. Jerry was born in Chicago on November 28, 1931 to Ruby Pearl (Smitchger) and Ray Edward Cazel. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Dorothy Hudson, in Chicago, IL on February 23, 1952. They moved to Springfield in 1963. She predeceased him November 20, 2013.

Jerry is survived by a brother Tom "Buc" (Tiny) Cazel of The Villages, FL; daughters, Dorothy “Thi” (Michael) Bowden of Springfield, Janet Cazel of Springfield, Nancy (Bradley) Campbell of Willisburg, KY, Pam (Mark P.) Rodgers of Springfield and Sue (Ray) Zientara of Oakley; grandchildren, Shannon (Spencer) Marshall , Matthew (Aster) Bowden , Rachel (Jason) Kozemczak , Jared Bowden , Hannah Gibson, Karmen Goodrich, Katherine Herman, Aaron Herman, Marc Rodgers, Jessica Rodgers and Sarah Rodgers; 17 great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jerry worked as a surveyor before beginning his career with Illinois Bell Telephone Company. He retired in 1990 after 36 years of service. While employed by Illinois Bell, he earned a degree in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

He was a member of many organizations & clubs, including Grasshoppers golf club, Elks Club, Blue Ridge Club, Springfield Ski Club, Airplane Factory, bridge and pinochle clubs, Plae Dae and YMCA Membership Roundup. Jerry was a charter member of The Breakfast Optimist Club of Springfield, Illinois.

One of Jerry's many hobbies was flying and building airplanes, including "The Breezy", an experimental aircraft, with friends at Capital Airport. He was a member of the Illinois Civil Air Patrol, serving as a pilot.

He said that sailing was one of the most fun things he's done on the ground. He was an avid golfer, having made his first hole in one in 2003 at The Rotunda in Florida and the second in 2010 at Lincoln Greens in Springfield.

Jerry and Joan joined St. John’s Lutheran Church shortly after moving to Springfield. He served as an usher, a greeter, a member of Group LOYAL and participated in many other church activities.

He and Joan spent six months of each year in Englewood, Florida.

Visitation for friends and family will be held from 4 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church's Parish Life Center, 2477 W. Washington St., Springfield. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 1, 2014 in the church's sanctuary with Pastor Greg Busboom officiating.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702 Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.