Jerome McGee

Jerome “Jerry” Gerald McGee, our beloved husband and dad, went to meet his heavenly Father at 4:12 a.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at his home in Godfrey with his family by his side, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was born on February 7, 1937 in Batchtown, IL, to Fred and Helen (Hillen) McGee. He graduated with the Brussels High School Class of 1956. He married Carol Lee Hanneken on September 10, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brussels. She survives. Jerome and Carol spent their early years of marriage in El Paso, TX where Jerome served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss. After service, they moved to Godfrey where they have remained for 52 years and been members of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. Jerome celebrated a well-deserved retirement in 1999 after 44 ½ years of employment with Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas). He was a member of Aerospace Workers Local 837. Our dad was a hardworking and dedicated family man who would give “the shirt off his back” to anyone. His greatest joys where helping his family and babysitting his grandchildren. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He appreciated a good meal and enjoyed many laughter filled, late nights playing pinochle with family. In addition to his wife, Carol, he is survived by three children; Chris McGee and Stephanie of Godfrey, Penny (Tim) Eberlin of Golden Eagle and Amy (Patrick) Bohn of Godfrey; nine grandchildren, Carrie (Terry) Jones, Kristy (Mark) Merrill, Sasha McGee, Kaleb McGee, Zach (Jamie) Eberlin, Cody Eberlin, Ethan Eberlin, Haley Bohn and Hadley Bohn; six great-grandchildren, three brothers, Bernie of Granite City, Lester and Fritz of Batchtown; one sister, Catherine (Kitty) Rutledge of Brighton; one sister-in-law, Jean Narup of Alton and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Bertha (Melvin) Johnes and Sr. Mary Catherine McGee. Jerome donated his body to Washington University School of Medicine for medical education. In celebration of his life, a memorial Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. Father Steven Janoski and Deacon Bill Kessler will be celebrants. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home