Jerry D. Foster

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Normal First United Methodist Church, 211 N. School Street, Normal, Illinois, Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., with The Rev. Kim Burke officiating. Family will visit with friends at 9:30 a.m. A family graveside ceremony will follow the service at Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, Illinois. Arrangements have been entrusted to East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at EastLawnMemorial.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 211 N. School Street, Normal, IL 61761 (normalfumc.org); Faith in Action, 600 E. Willow Street #201, Normal, IL 61761 (bnfia.org); or Catalyst Ministries, 202 S. Eldorado Road, Bloomington, IL 61704 (catalystministries.net). Jerry's life began October 25, 1933, in Greenfield, Iowa. The youngest of five children, he was born to Emmert and Irene (Dwyer) Foster. Jerry held a lifelong loyalty to his hometown and affectionately referred to Greenfield as, "The best place in the world." From Boy Scouts, to working at his dad’s hardware store, lifeguarding at the local swimming pool, and playing high school sports and college football, he always appreciated growing up in a small town.

Jerry graduated from high school in 1951, attended Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa), proudly served with the United States Army in Okinawa, and returned to college to complete a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education. He pursued advanced degrees throughout his life, earning a Master of Science in Education, from Northern Illinois University, and Doctor of Education, from University of North Texas.

Jerry and Roma Jean Westphal, his college sweetheart, were married, August 17, 1957. They were blessed with 43 years together, until Roma’s passing in 2001. Those left to cherish Jerry's memory include their four children, David (Deborah) Foster, Daniel (Lisa) Foster, Julie (Tim) Ryan, Douglas (Christina) Foster; grandchildren, Katherine Foster (Nick) Stephens, James (Victoria) Foster, Ryan, Andrew & William Foster, Heather Ryan (Dan) Lake, Elisabeth Ryan (Stephen) Tomko, Amy Ryan, Edward Foster; great-grandchildren, Cannon & Carr Stephens, Sadie & Elsie Lake, Wesley & Juliette Tomko; sisters-in-law, Vivian Foster, Florence “Tim” Westphal, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

After reconnecting in Greenfield, Jerry and Mary Linda (Rigby) Hackney were married, April 16, 2005, and blessed with 19 years together. Those left to cherish Jerry's memory include his loving wife, Mary, her children, Robert (Stephanie) Hackney, Kristin Hackney (Scott Nietz); grandchildren, Elizabeth Hackney (Wyatt) Hoffman, Jack (Ashley) Hackney, & Joe Kujawa; brothers-in-law, Jim Rigby, Craig Rigby, Jim Hugley; sisters-in-law, Roxanne (Rigby) Hugley, Barbara Rigby; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Jerry’s career as a physical education teacher began in Wheaton, Illinois and Keokuk, Iowa. In 1966, he and Roma moved their family to Normal, where Jerry taught physical education and supervised student teachers at Thomas Metcalf School (Illinois State University Laboratory School). After completing his doctorate in education, he was an educational consultant for Physical Education Curriculum, Teacher Inservice Programming, & Grant Writing Assistance, at Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield, Illinois, from 1971 until his retirement in 1994. Jerry loved working with kids and teachers and is dearly remembered for his gentle encouragement and quick sense of humor.

An avid reader of history, Jerry researched many topics and collected artifacts and memorabilia. As a teenager, he became fascinated with coins and was a collector for over 70 years. In 1987, he researched and authored a family treasure, "The Chronicle: The Life and Times of Emmert and Irene Foster."

Jerry's other hobbies/interests, in addition to his daily "to-do" list, included travel, gardening & lawncare, golf, cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Bears, sketching and painting, and family gatherings in St. Germain, Wisconsin. His creativity extended to handyman skills, with innovative and practical solutions for home repair and organization. During the early years of retirement, he expanded his role as Roma’s right-hand man at, “Top Shelf,” her kitchen specialty store.

Jerry’s strong faith shone through his devotion to family, steadfast wisdom and unwavering optimism. His love and joy, endearing "Jerry-isms," and wonderful legacy of a life well-lived will always be with us.

Jerry is preceded in passing by his beloved Roma; parents, Emmert & Irene; parents-in-law, Marvin & Sue (Downing) Westphal; siblings, Erwin Foster, Wayne Foster, Veryl (Foster) Schweers, & Helen (Foster) Beer; brothers-in-law, Robert Beer, Mert Schweers, Don “Ki” Westphal, Arnie Westphal; sisters-in-law, Marie Foster, Betty Foster; and parents-in-law, Harlan and Evelyn (Sohl) Rigby.

A special thank you to the many healthcare professionals for the loving care and compassion shown to Jerry and his family.