Jerry Crump

EAST PEORIA - Jerry D. Crump, 67, of East Peoria, Ill., died at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, at his home.

Born on June 28, 1943, in Bloomington, Ill., to Myrle H. and Louise Julia Winkleman Crump, he married Janelle Naffziger Fiene on Aug. 24, 1989, in Maui, Hawaii. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Laci Fiene of Iowa City, Iowa, and Valerie Stumpf Jarrett of Chattanooga, Tenn.; one sister, Nancy Sedarat of San Antonio, Texas; three brothers, Jack (Margaret) Crump of Jacksonville, Ill., Randy (Brenda) Crump of Eureka, Ill., and the Rev. Dr. Steve Crump of Baton Rouge, La.; one grandson, Colton Fiene; two granddaughters, Erin and Amanda Jarrett; and five great-grandchildren, Kristofer, Katrina, Elizabeth, Theresa and David.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jerry completed his education with a Bachelor of Science degree at Illinois State University in 1965 and a master's degree in education at the University of Illinois in 1967.

He began teaching agriculture and then was in banking for a while. In 1971, he took a job with Farm Business Farm Management. He worked with farmers, specializing in accounting, taxes and estate settlements. Jerry became an Enrolled Agent in 1997.

He retired from F.B.F.M. in 2005 and became self-employed until the fall of 2010. Jerry bought his first piece of farm land in 1977 and began farming, which grew to be his lifelong passion.

His other passions included mentoring and running. He truly loved to run and participated in many 5K and 10Ks in the area, winning numerous awards. Jerry also was a marathon runner. He ran the Boston Marathon twice and 16 other marathons, including two 50 mile-ultras across the USA.

Cremation has been accorded and a celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 3000 W. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria. The Rev. Dr. Steve Crump and the Rev. Michael Brown will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Illinois Cancer Care.

Jerry's memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where condolences also may be sent to the family.