Jerry Dodson, 77, of East Peoria, IL, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 17, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on March 9, 1947, the son of Jack and Betty (Tomlinson) Dodson, and was raised in Mason City, IL. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1965. He married Diane Gaydosh in 1966 and later married Marcia Wall in 1996.

Surviving are his wife, Marcia, two daughters, Missy (Tony) McClure of Zephyrhills, FL., Denise (Doug) of Mason City, IL, and stepson, Jeff (Penny) Wall of Knoxville, TN. Also surviving are his sister, Betty Connelly of Taylorville, IL, and John (Cindy) Dodson of Lake Ozark, MO. Jerry was the proud grandpa to seven grandchildren: Johnathan Wall, Jackie (AJ) Henderson, Duncan and Cameron McClure, Welsey, Wyatt, and Bennett Knoles, and six great-grandchildren Akira, Harper and Amelia Henderson, and Ali, Elizabeth, and Jeffrey Wall.

Jerry served his country during the Vietnam War by enlisting in the Air Force. He was an aircraft mechanic at Travis Air Force Base in California. He worked at Caterpillar Tractor Co. for 37 years as a Senior Quality Purchasing Manager before his retirement in 2002.

Jerry loved serving the Lord in whatever capacity he could. He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria. He worked with the Monday Morning Work Fellowship Crew, Widow's Ministry, the Watchmen on the Wall prayer ministry, VBS, and the Good News Club at Glen Oak School and drove the church bus.

He loved his precious puppy dog, Honey, playing golf with his buddies and was an avid Cardinals fan.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. and a luncheon at noon at Grace Presbyterian Church on Route 91 in Peoria, IL. Memorials may be made to the Missions Fund of Grace Presbyterian Church or the Bare Foot Republic of Nashville (www.barefootrepublic.org). Affordable Funeral & Cremation Services, Peoria, has been entrusted with arrangements.