Gerald Buckley

CHILLICOTHE - Gerald Jack "Skippy" Buckley, 95, of Chillicothe died peacefully at his home at 5:24 a.m. Thursday morning, April 10, 2014, surrounded by his family.

He was born Nov. 1, 1918, in Peoria to Lester and Goldie (Back) Buckley. He married "The best thing that ever happened to him," Joanne Stieber, on Oct. 21, 1950, at St. Peters Church in Peoria.

Jack is survived by his wife, Joanne; his children, Patrick (Colleen) Buckley of New Jersey, Mary (Richard) Schneider Jr. of Chillicothe, Timothy (Mary Sue) Buckley of Florida, Bernadette Buckley of Indiana and Michael (Francie) Buckley of Chillicothe; 17 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Robert Buckley; his daughter, Kathleen Grieder; and one great-grandson.

Jack served overseas in World War II as a gunnery plane spotter from 1941 to 1945.

He worked at Pabst Brewing Company in Peoria Heights for 32 years, then went to work for St. Edward Catholic School and Church for another 38 1/2 years. He was best known for cutting grass at the first National Bank of Chillicothe for over 45 years.

He loved his "Teed," family, fishing, his yard, flowers and his Hamm's Special Light.

Jack was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church, where his funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, April 16, 2014, at 11 a.m., with Fr. Keith Walder officiating. Visitation will be held at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe on Tuesday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 4:30 p.m. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service time at the church. Burial will be in the Chillicothe City Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be made to the St. Edward Debt Fund.

Jack's online memorial website may be viewed at www.hurdfamilyfunerals.com.