Gerald "Jerry" VanWinkle

Jerry was born on March 23, 1938, in Peoria to John D. and Velda M. (Foster) VanWinkle. He married Carol Hagel on Oct. 2, 1970, in Havana, Ill.

She survives, along with his children, Lynn Kerley of Varna, Ill., Mark (DiAnna) Kerley of Fiatt, Ill., Jerry (Kelly) Kerley of Pekin, Ill., and Michelle (Rob) Banta of Canton, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his niece, Rhonda Dyess of Texas; and his sister-in-law, Kay VanWinkle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ron VanWinkle.

Jerry graduated from Manual High School and attended Bradley University for mechanical engineering.

He retired from Caterpillar as a journeyman millwright, working in Research and Development at the Mossville Tech Center.

Jerry was a life member of Illinois Lodge 263, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Mohammed Shrine. He was also a life member of the Society of Hospitalers, past Thrice Potent Master and life member of the Valley of Peoria Scottish Rite and life member of AMVETS (Army National Guard).

Other organizations include Midwest Gun Collectors, for which he had taught basic safety; and Midwest Cruisers Association, where Jerry enjoyed showing his 1979 green Ford truck at cruise-ins.

He also enjoyed spending time at Wildlife Prairie Park and with his horses, Bobbie and Sissy.

Cremation rites will be accorded and a visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Masonic services will be at 6:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .

Online condolences may be made through davison-fulton-woodland-chapel.com.