Gerald A. "Jerry" Schoncheck

Gerald A. Schoncheck, age 89, of Hutsonville, IL passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the Robinson Rehab and Nursing Home in Robinson, IL.
Gerald (Jerry) A. Schoncheck, the only child of Alfred C. Schoncheck and Sarah Elizabeth Buxton Schoncheck, was born in Ecorse, Michigan, on September 19, 1934. After his parents' divorce, he was very blessed to gain a new dad when Sarah married Julius W. Helmholtz, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Jerry spent most of his childhood in the Sturgeon Bay area, where he attended Waniger School, a one-room schoolhouse, through eighth grade. He then spent three years at Sturgeon Bay High School, before moving with his family and attending his senior year at Hutsonville High School, graduating in 1953.
Sometime after 1952 when he moved to Hutsonville, he met his wife-to-be, Linda Ash.
They were married at the Hutsonville 1st Christian Church on July 31, 1960, after Linda graduated from high school. To this union were born four children: Earl William, David Wayne, Charles (CharLee) Leroy, and Laura Jeanne. Their family has now expanded to include ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
After graduation, Jerry was employed at several different jobs, including Malleable Steel in Terre Haute, Bachelor's Cleaners in Palestine, greenskeeper at Crawford County Country Club in Robinson, supervisor at the South Reed Street Electronics, Illinois Central Railroad, and Shivers Corporation at Hutsonville. In 1973 he began employment as an electrician at the Hutsonville CIPS and worked there until his retirement.
Jerry enjoyed several pastimes through the years. He loved to fish and hunt and just being outdoors. Growing up in Wisconsin, it was only natural that he became a lifetime fan of the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed watching TV, and his favorite shows were Ghost Adventures, the Outdoors Channel, and the Andy Griffith Show, even if it was a rerun that he had just watched the day before. Before he lost his eyesight, he liked to read, and his favorite authors were Tony Hillerman and Ellis Peters. Mowing with his John Deere tractors was fun, too. Those who knew Jerry well know that he was somewhat of a loner. He preferred being with only a few people at a time and did not like crowds, but through his lifetime he had several close lifelong friends whom he enjoyed spending time with. Most importantly, He never tired of spending time with his children and their families and loved them dearly.
Jerry is survived by Linda (Ash) Schoncheck, his wife of 63 years; by his four children: Earl Schoncheck, David Schoncheck and Susan Spitz, Charlee and Suzanne Schoncheck, and Laura Schoncheck. He has been blessed with ten grandchildren: Earl William, Jr. and Sarah Ackman, Sarah and Dallas Daugherty, Michael Schoncheck, Cassie Buecherie, Ashley and Jason Andrews, Amber Conrad and Shawn Landrum, Summer Gaddis and Michael Rumley, Ryan Wallace and Shayna King, Brooke Schoncheck, and Noah Schoncheck. Also surviving are sixteen precious great-grandchildren: Earl William Ill, Emmett, and Ellie Schoncheck; Leighton and Walker Daugherty; Brandon, Case, and Lawson Buecherie, Alden and Carson Andrews; Klayton Conrad, Finnley and Cole Landrum; and Raeleigh Rumler, Blake, and Elijah Gaddis. Also surviving are one brother-in-law Bud and Diane Ash, and two sisters-in-law Barbara Heleine and Jim Medley, and June Helmholtz, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents Julius and Sarah Buxton Schoncheck Helmholtz, three brothers Bob, Paul, and Jim Helmholtz, a sister-in-law Judy Helmholtz, a nephew James C. Helmholtz, his wife's parents Franklin and Frances Ash, a sister-in-law Martha Staley, and two brothers-in-law Bill Ash and Tom Heleine.
Jerry accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1959 and became a member of the Hutsonville 1st Christian Church. After fighting a long battle with several health issues, we can be assured that he is now residing in his eternal home with his Lord.
Funeral Services will be Monday October 23, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Pulliam Funeral Home, Hutsonville, IL with Pastor Tom Buchanan officiating. Visitation will be from Monday October 23, 2023, from 11:00 AM until time of the service at 1:00 PM at Pulliam Funeral Home, Hutsonville.
Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children with envelopes available at the funeral home.