Dale H. "Jack" Gaetz

Deacon Dale H. "Jack" Gaetz, 84, of Germantown Hills, IL passed away surrounded by family at 4:18 am on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL. He was born on March 10, 1933 in Worth Township, IL to Wilbur A. and Hildagard E. (Schmitt) Gaetz. He married Doyne Dorothy Jones on June 11, 1955 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Germantown Hills, IL. She survives.

Also surviving are children Michael Gaetz of Germantown Hills, Rebecca (Chip) Collins of East Peoria, and Colleen VonBehren of Metamora; twelve grandchildren Stephanie Gale, Christopher (Heather) King, Paul (Michelle) Webster, Tara (Jeff) Hinshaw, Rachel (Cody) Harmon, Sarah (Greg) DeKeyser, Amber (Chris) Ford, Sabrina Jones, Christina Dowd, Olivia Jones, Clayton Gaetz, and Alexander VonBehren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; sister Frieda (Martin) Grebner of Metamora; and nephews Terry (Cheryl) Fandel and Tom (Jan) Fandel. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son John Gaetz.

Jack served in The United States Army from 1952-1955. Jack worked for CILCO (Ameren) for nearly 45 years, retiring in 1997. He was a previous Mayor of Germantown Hills and served on the zoning board of appeals. Jack was ordained a deacon on May 9, 1992 at The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, IL and was a deacon for 25 years at St. Mary of Lourdes Parish in Germantown Hills, IL. Jack was the Assistant Director and co-administrator for the permanent diaconate for 15 years. He served on the executive board of the National Association of Deacon Directors, the finance committee at St. Mary of Lourdes Parish, Cursillo and its steering committees, did prison ministry for 9 years, as well as Communion calls for 9 years at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Jack was the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award in 2000. He was a member of American Legion Post 89 and the Knights of Columbus. He was a dedicated Chicago Cubs fan and celebrated with family when the team won The World Series.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Germantown Hills, IL with Monsignor Charles J. Beebe, P.A. officiating. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church with visitation to follow from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Additional visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:15 am on Thursday morning at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel. Burial will be in St. Mary of Lourdes Cemetery in Germantown Hills with military rites accorded by American Legion Post 89. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, 424 Lourdes Church Road, Metamora, IL 61548, OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 Illinois Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615, or American Parkinson's Disease Association Midwest Chapter, 1800 North Main Street, Suite 215, Wheaton, IL 60187. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.