Gerald P. "Jerry" Schaidle

Gerald P. "Jerry" Schaidle, 76, of Metamora, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away and was called home to his heavenly father on Thursday, January 21, 2016, with his family by his side at Snyder Village. Born on March 17, 1939 at home in Metamora to Carl and Clara (Schneider) Schaidle, he married the love of his life, Judith Scheirer on September 2, 1961 at St. Mary's Church in Metamora. He was the proud father of three daughters, Lori (Harry) Packman, Lisa (Joe) Janusz, both of Metamora, and Pam (Tom) Carr of Dunlap; grandfather of five grandchildren, Drew Packman, Sarah (Rob) Kalina, Kayla Carr (Dylan Fiddes), Brianna Janusz (Quinn Zircher), and Braden Carr; and great-grandfather of three great-grandchildren, Drew Purple, Chase Packman, and Taylin Kalina. Jerry will be blessed with another great-grandchild in March. Also surviving are three brothers, Joe, Walter (Pat), and Donald all of Metamora and two sisters, Esther (Don) Miller of Metamora and Hildegard Haedicke of East Peoria. He was preceded in death by one son, Gerald Schaidle, Jr., his parents, Carl and Clara Schaidle, three brothers, Ernest, Carl, and Lawrence, and four sisters, Marie, Elsie, Margaret, and Evelyn. Jerry graduated from Metamora High School and attended Bradley University. He was a veteran of the Air National Guard of Illinois and was honorably discharged on March 16, 1960. He worked at Caterpillar for 38 years, retiring in 1996. Jerry enjoyed spending time outside in his free time, mushroom hunting, tinkering in the garage, woodworking, and gardening. He was also the ultimate handyman as there was nothing that Jerry couldn't fix. He loved boating and going on fishing trips to Minnesota and Wisconsin with his family and spending time at the Izaak Walton Lake. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Metamora, where services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 28, 2016 with Father Greg Jozefiak officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time at the church. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Snyder Village, or the National Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE First Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. Online condolences may be left at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.