RUTLAND — Jerry R. Mooradian, 66, of Rutland died at 4:24 a.m. Friday (Sept. 3, 2010) at St. Mary’s Hospital, Streator.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Minonk, with the Rev. Luke Poczworowski officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, Minonk, with full military graveside rites. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the family.

Jerry was born Feb. 27, 1944, in Clay Center, Kan., the son of Johnny R. Mooradian and Colleen M. Geiger. He married Karen A. Stokowski on May 28, 1983, in Dana. She died May 6, 2007.

Surviving are his mother, Colleen Geiger, Topeka, Kan.; six children, Paul Lynn (Linda) Marler, Castle Rock, Colo.; Carey (Mary), Topeka, Kan.; Brandon (Suzanne), Marysville, Kan.; Chad (Melinda), Meriden, Kan.; Amber (Brad) Neiberger, Valley Falls, Kan.; and Nicole (Brian) Mize, Nortonville, Kan.; and three stepdaughters, Debra (Bill) Baumgartner, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Janet (Don) Hocking, Columbus, Ga.; and Linda Gibson, Greenville, S.C. He had 31 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father; one daughter, Tara; and a grandson, Samuel.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Minonk; the Rutland American Legion Post 1121; and the Ranger Regiment Association. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served 16 years and fought in the Vietnam conflict. Jerry was a member of the 5th and 10th Special Force Units and was a staff sergeant.

He received numerous awards — Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Hearts and Valor awards — for Army accomplishment and the Achievement Air Medal. He was a member of the Master Parachutes Halo Team with more than 1,100 jumps.

He was an owner-operator of a trucking company and also worked as a truck driver for Birkey Farms Inc., Gibson City.