Gerald R. Alvin

Gerald R. Alvin

Gerald R. Alvin, 88, Midland, TX and Milan, IL passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025 at his home in Milan, surrounded by family and under the care of hospice. There will be a rosary at 3:30 PM followed by a visitation from 4-7:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Friday, August 29, 2025 at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish - St. Ambrose Campus, Milan. Burial at Preemption Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or cemetery.

Gerry was born on July 12, 1937, to Cleland and Caroline (Enderlin) Alvin in Rock Island. He was raised in Preemption and graduated from Sherrard High School. He was a talented basketball player and loved his time on the court where he made lifelong friends. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and served in the reserves for six years.

On November 7, 1959, Gerry was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Joanne Hoffman at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Matherville, IL. The couple made their home in Milan where they raised their two children.

Gerry began his career with John Deere in 1955 at 17 years old and advanced quickly. He was highly respected for his knowledge of farming and traveled extensively to farm progress shows and factories around the world in his role as a factory marketing executive. Through his hard work at Deere, he was able to pursue his dream of owning farmland in Illinois and Texas. After his retirement at the age of 49, he and Joanne moved to Midland, TX, where he then joined his son Curt in farming. Over the years, the farm raised cotton, alfalfa, wheat and cattle. In addition to his son, his grandson Kevin has been his partner at the farm during the last 15 years. Farming for Gerry was a family affair, and Joanne was often found riding in the tractor by his side. Gerry was still actively farming until the time of his passing.

Gerry was an avid Notre Dame fan from the time he was a young boy, and he attended many Irish football games where he could be found "coaching" from his seat 8 rows up on the 47-yard line. He and Joanne also loved following Notre Dame girls' basketball, always anxiously waiting for the team to make it to the national championship. His passion for Notre Dame inspired his granddaughter, Adelyn, to attend the university. He loved going to the Indy 500 for many years along with NASCAR races around the country with family and friends. He enjoyed collecting cars and green antique tractors. You could always tell when there wasn't a cloud in the sky because that's when he could be seen driving his beloved 1957 Chevy around the neighborhood. Gerry never met a stranger and enjoyed his early morning breakfasts with friends before starting his farm workday. When his children were young, he was very active in coaching their sports teams and never missed a game or event. Gerry was a family man who cherished any time spent with his kids and grandkids.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 66 years, Joanne; children, Curt (Tammy) Alvin, Midland, Texas and Kathy (Roland) Pulley, Milan, Illinois; grandchildren, Kevin Alvin, Midland, Texas, and Adelyn Pulley, Boulder, Colorado; step-grandchildren, Ben (Julie) Pulley, Cypress, Texas, and Dan (Kaitlyn) Pulley, Bettendorf, Iowa; step-great grandchildren, Lydia and Abigail Pulley, Cypress, Texas, Will and Aubrey Pulley, Bettendorf, Iowa; sister, Mary Carol (John) Williams; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jim Alvin.

To leave condolences for the family, visit www.wheelanpressly.com.