JERRY R. "PIT" PAULSON

1949 - 2014

DeKALB – Jerry Richard "Pit" Paulson, 64, of DeKalb, Ill., passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at home of natural causes after a long 15-year battle with several different health issues.
Born Nov. 26, 1949, in DeKalb, the son of LaVern R. and Verna J. (Cooksey) Paulson, Jerry married his longtime friend, Cheryl Ann Lyons Benad on July 31, 2000.
Pit was a 1968 graduate of DeKalb High School and then attended college in Iowa, where he received his associate degree. He worked for ComEd for 30 years.
Jerry was an outdoorsman who had a true passion for hunting and politics. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing and playing cards. He was an avid sports fan, and especially loved the Chicago Bears. He also was involved in Crime Stoppers and was a member of the first citizens' police academy. Pit was a lifetime member of DeKalb Elks Club, Sycamore Hunting Club, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. Jerry's favorite stomping grounds included Sullivan's Tavern, The Lost Mine and the Elks Club.
Known as "Grampi" by his grandson, Liam, whom he loved and cherished, Jerry always looked forward to spending time with him doing their favorite things, such as kicking the soccer ball, playing trains and cars, doing puzzles and playing board games. Jerry especially enjoyed attending Liam's Saturday morning soccer games and watching Liam grow and improve in his Tae Kwon Do classes at Bill Cho's center.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Wendy (Mike) Wakeland of Sycamore; grandson, Liam; mother, Verna Jean Cooksey (Hank) Smith of Arizona; sister, Diane Fassig of Arizona; niece, Keli Fassig; nephew, Jason Fassig; and several aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his father, LaVerne Paulson; grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.
The memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb, with his aunt, Pastor Roxie Elliott of Harvest Time Fellowship Church, Sycamore, officiating. Burial of cremated remains will be at a later date. Cremation is by Anderson Funeral Home Crematory. The visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Anderson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Jerry R. Paulson Memorial Fund, sent in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 S. Fourth St., DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.