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Gerald L. Waltz

1937 - 2021

Gerald L. Waltz obituary, 1937-2021, Peoria, IL

Gerald Waltz Obituary

Gerald L. Waltz
PEORIA - Gerald L. "Jerry" Waltz of Peoria passed away at 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at UnityPoint Health-Methodist.
Jerry was born on April 29, 1937, in Jackson, Michigan, to Carl M. and Caroline (Whitcher) Waltz.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Frances Marble Waltz.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Judith E. (Yontz) Waltz; two children, Thomas L. (Kristina) Waltz and Amy K. (Mark) Stone; and two granddaughters, Jessica and Samantha Waltz.
Jerry graduated from Michigan State University in 1959 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and earned a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University in 1967. He completed advanced ROTC at Michigan State and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. He completed an 8-year military obligation and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant.
He worked 40 years at Caterpillar in the Research Department. He also donated time as a member on the board of directors of the Human Services Center.
He was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church and the Wesley Sunday School class.
For more than 48 years, Jerry spent summer vacations at the YMCA of the Rockies with his family. He and Judy enjoyed hiking a variety of trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Jerry and Tom summited Longs Peak, one of Colorado's 14,000 ft. mountains. When hiking was no longer possible, Jerry and Judy enjoyed sitting on the front porch of their cabin, making sure the mountains didn't move.
Jerry was an avid sports fan. He followed Michigan State basketball and football, as well as attending Bradley basketball games. Being a Cubs fan, he particularly enjoyed the win of the World Series.
Jerry took up golf when he was about 50 years old. He worked as a ranger and starter at Weaver Ridge for 16 years, where he enjoyed playing with his golfing buddies every Thursday. He was still playing three years ago, but found that old age had cut into how far the ball would travel. His two golfing thrills were making a hole-in-one at Kellogg golf course and Weaver Ridge. We hope that with his love for golf, his next tee time will include a foursome of Jerry, Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart and Jesus.
Service will be at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Peoria Journal Star from Feb. 6 to Feb. 8, 2021.

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2 Entries

Fred and Ruth Filip

February 7, 2021

Judy: We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We recall the old days on Northcrest Avemue. Fred and Ruth Filip. We will add him to our prayers.
God bless you

Paul Filip

February 6, 2021

So sorry to hear about Jerry’s passing. Always great seeing you at the Bradley games.

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