Jerry R. Cline, age 69, of 801 Second St., Lacon, Ill., died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at 12:15 p.m. at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill.

Jerry was born July 22, 1938, in Minonk, Ill., a son of the late Walter Oakie and Fannie Eilts Cline. He married Phyllis J. Gray on Jan. 22, 1962, in Minonk, Ill. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Curt Cline of Lacon, Ill., and one daughter, Christie (Darrel) Nelson of Lacon. He was also the proud "Paw Paw" of five grandchildren, Shannon, Jeremy, Addie, A.J. and Brooklynn. Also surviving are two sisters, Joanne (Jim) Meierhofer of Minonk and Vauna (Ralph) Mitchell of Austin, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Don Cline.

He was a former guard for the Illinois prison system and was later employed at the A&P Grocery Store in Lacon. In 1967, Jerry went to work for the Caterpillar Inc., Mossville Plant, retiring in 2003 from Building DD after 36 years of employment.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, past member of Peoria Local 974, past member of 15 Club and a former volunteer fireman for the Lacon-Sparland Fire Protection District.

He was also an avid Cubs fan. He was a man who was always willing to help others in need.

Services will be held at Lenz Memorial Home, Lacon, Ill., on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Wayne Anderson officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lenz Memorial Home. Burial will be in Lacon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to LS-52.