Gerald Kurfman

1946 - 2014

Gerald Kurfman

Gerald D. "Jerry" Kurfman, 68, of Millstadt, Ill., passed into God's embrace on Sept. 10, 2014, at home after an extended illness.

Jerry was born on March 20, 1946, in Hannibal, Mo., to Ruby Maxine and Lendell Kurfman. He grew up on a farm in rural Mascoutah, Ill., and graduated from Freeburg Community High School. He attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale on a track scholarship and received his bachelor of science degree in physical education from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville. After graduating in 1968, he married his childhood sweetheart, Frances Skaer, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Freeburg.

Jerry began his career teaching at Bayless Elementary School in St. Louis, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971. Following his honorable discharge, he received his master's degree in recreation administration from the University of Northern Colorado. He was employed for 23 years as director of athletics at Parks College of Saint Louis University in Cahokia, Ill., and for five years in the department of campus recreation at Saint Louis University, retiring as director of campus recreation upon his disability in May, 2000.

Always interested in health and wellness, Jerry pursued his love of running by participating in area long distance races where he made many friends. He also ran the St. Louis Marathon and the Boston Marathon. In his tenure at Parks College of Saint Louis University, he organized an annual run which continued for 15 years to benefit the Greater St. Louis Spina Bifida Association. He was inducted into the Freeburg Community High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

Jerry was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Belleville. In his 42 years there, he served on the Administrative Council, on the Pastor-Parish Committee, on the Education Committee and as a Sunday school teacher.

He enjoyed all sports, country music, NASCAR, and especially his grandchildren. Jerry met every challenge with determination, warmth and humor and will be greatly missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Lendell and Ruby Maxine, nee Gallaher, Kurfman; and a sister, Shirley Kosarek.

Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 46 years, Frances; his loving children, Stacey Duncan of Lisle, Ill., (Aaron Duncan of Springfield, Ill.), Stefanie (Steve) Liesman of St. Peters, Mo., and Mark (Nikki) Kurfman of Millstadt, Ill. He was blessed to have eight grandchildren, Garrett Duncan, Hannah Duncan, Jenna Liesman, Eric Liesman, Gabriel Kurfman, Bryce Kurfman, Joel Kurfman and Myles Kurfman. Surviving also is his mother-in-law, Ethel Skaer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Saint Louis University Department of Campus Recreation or the ALS Association.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Ill., and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, with Rev. James Slone officiating. There will be a private family interment later at Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Millstadt, Ill.

KURRUS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.