Gerald Rapp

METAMORA - Gerald G. "Jerry" Rapp, 87, of Metamora, formerly of Peoria, passed away at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at Snyder Village.

He was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Peoria to George W. and Lena (Streitmatter) Rapp. He married Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Farrow on Nov. 9, 1946, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Jerry Rapp of Peoria and Robert (Sally) Rapp of Pekin; two granddaughters, Amy (Pat) Sena of Bloomington, Ill., and Carrie (Brian) Hogan of Olathe, Kan.; and two great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn Hogan and Emma Hogan.

He worked as a sportswriter for the Peoria Journal (Transcript) Star. He was a sports official for basketball and baseball through Illinois High School Association and independently for softball, he was a co-owner of Farrow Coal Company and Western Coal & Fuel Company and retired in 1989 as customer service manager at United Facilities Inc. He last worked as a columnist for the Limestone Independent News.

He graduated from Peoria High School and Bradley Polytechnic Institute.

Jerry was a former secretary and president of the Peoria Fuel Merchants Association, served on the Board for Illinois Fuel Merchants Association, board member of Limestone High School for nine years, Pleasant Hill Dist. 69 for nine years and South Side Mission.

He was also a member of Grace Presbyterian Church.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. The Rev. Craig Hislope and the Rev. Douglas Lightly will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Chapel. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to South Side Mission or Snyder Village.

Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.mem.com.