Gerald William Rose age 83, of the Illinois Veteran’s Home died on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 5:49 a.m. in the home. Gerald was born of December 28, 1932 in Quincy, a son of Floyd & Mary (Hutmacher) Rose. On February 11, 1956, he married Margie Rose Vahlkamp at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and she survives.
Gerald was retired from his business as a Tile & Marble Contractor. He attended St. Boniface Grade School and Notre Dame High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean War 1952-1954 and received numerous medals, including sharpshooting. Gerald was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Sgt. First Class.
He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish where he was formerly a Boy Scout leader, and President of the Holy Name Society.
Gerald was a member of the American Legion Post#37. His other memberships include his lifetime membership of North Side Boat Club where he was named “Man of the Year” and he also served as President. As an active outdoorsman, he and his sons had taken hunting and fishing trips to Canada and Gerald was a member of Duck’s Unlimited and the Mississippi Valley Hunter’s & Fisherman’s Association. Gerald liked birdwatching and feeding birds and other animals too. He liked NASCAR and dirt track racing and he was avid St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan.
In addition to his wife Margie, survivors also include his children:
Mitzi (Mike) Nicholson; Gerald Ray (Karla) Rose; Matt (Robin) Rose and Michael Rose; his sisters, Mary Bradfield; Jane Meyer; Dodie (George) Doellman; Shirley Hultz; Theresa Lorenson; and a brother, Clarence Rose. Grandchildren: Eric (Andrea) Nicholson; Brent Nicholson; Jeremy (Ciara) Rose; Josh Rose; Kristin (Cody) Smith; Laura (Clint) Kelly; Taelor (Jordan) Peterson; Blaise (Jesse) Rose and Dallas Rose.
Great-Grandchildren, Wyatt, Whitley and Wesleigh Peterson; Mason Nicholson, Caleb and Walker Kelly Hunter Rose, Tyson Miller and Korijo Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws Emma & Raymond “Penie” Vahlkamp; a daughter, Susan Marie Rose; two brothers Joe and Charles Rose; brothers-in-law, George Bradfield; Dick Hultz and John Meyer; sisters-in-law, Vi Rose, Patty Rose and Velma Rose.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2016 a 10:00 a.m. in the All Faiths Chapel at the Illinois Veteran’s Home by Rev. Donald Blickhan.
Interment with military honors will be in Sunset Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the All Faiths Chapel of the Illinois Veterans Home.
Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Valley Hunter’s and Fisherman’s Association or to the Illinois Veteran’s Home Activities Fund.
Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
www.dukerandhaugh.com