Gerald Walter Brunner

Jerry was born on August 16, 1944, in Pekin, a son of Walter and Esther (Oelker) Brunner-Kamp. He married Barbara Mae Hymbaugh on February 14, 2003, in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Beth (Russ) Witzig of Troy; one son, Scott Brunner of Fort Collins, CO; one stepdaughter, Brenda Nafziger of Pekin; one stepson, Brian (Dr. Michelle) Nafziger of Cincinnati, OH; six grandchildren, Sam Brunner of Fort Collins, CO, Cole (Makayla) Witzig of Troy, Alexis Witzig of Troy, Justin Nafziger of Houston, TX, Tyler Nafziger of Salt Lake City, UT, and Kassidy Nafziger of Knoxville, TN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Sherry Singley, and one brother-in-law, Gary Singley.

Jerry worked for Caterpillar Inc for 46 years as a Field Service Engineer retiring in 2011. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Pekin. Jerry loved spending time with family, gardening, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears, NASCAR and golfing.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin. Pastor Judy Doyle will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions in honor of Jerry, may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com