Gerald "Jerry" Gene Sarff Jr.

He was born June 21, 1945 in Canton to Gerald Gene and Mary Louise (Jacobus) Sarff. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are one brother, Rick (Charmayne) Sarff of Pekin; one aunt, Juneann Sarff of Peoria Heights; two nieces, Holly (Matt) Higham and Abbey (Scott) Mattson, both of Pekin; one great niece; five great nephews and his good friend, Ray George of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Jerry was a veteran of the United States Army during the Vietnam Era and was a member of the AmVets Post 108 in Rock Mount, Missouri.

He had worked in advertising for 20 years at McCaffrey & McCall’s in New York, where he traveled the United States and retiring in 1989. Following retirement he moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Jerry enjoyed watching sports, especially NCAA basketball and collecting antiques. He also enjoyed spending time and “happy hours” in Key West, Florida and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Steve Weber will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the United States Army and Tazewell Military Rites Team. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be given to AmVets Post 108, P.O. Box 851, Rock Mount, Missouri 65072.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com