Gerald Duane "Jerry" Link

1940 - 2020

ABINGDON - Gerald "Jerry" Duane Link, 79, of rural Abingdon, died Saturday morning, Feb. 1, 2020, at home.

He was born March 18, 1940, at Galesburg Cottage Hospital, the son of Lyle C. and Margaret Annette "Peggy" (Pomeroy) Link. He married Mary Anne Foster on June 25, 1961, at the Abingdon United Methodist Church.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 58 1/2 years, Mary Anne; his children, Kimberly Anne (and Kevin) Wills of Jacksonville, Florida, and Jeffrey Duane (and Lori) Link of rural Abingdon; four grandchildren, Aidan Wills, Andy Wills, Cassandra (and Tyler) Schleich and Cory (and fiancé Maisey Postin) Link; two great-grandchildren, Scarlett Schleich and Sutton Schleich; and two brothers, James E. (and Sharon) Link of East Galesburg and Michael C. (and Barbara) Link of Abingdon.

He grew up in Middlegrove and moved with his parents to the family farm in 1955. He was preceded in death by his parents. He graduated from Abingdon High School in 1958. He was a lifelong farmer and also had worked at Midland Electric Coal Co. from 1960 through 1966, which allowed him the income to fulfill his passion in becoming a full-time farmer. He was a member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church.

From the time he was a small boy, Jerry dreamed of being a farmer, like the Granddad he idolized. He worked at the strip mine and saved his money so he could follow his dream. That dream turned into a lasting legacy for his family. Jerry was persistent. He pursued the prettiest girl he ever saw until she agreed to go on one date with him. They were together until the day he died. Besides his love of farming and of Mary Anne, Jerry loved to tell a good story. And boy, could he tell a story. You'd want to be seated for one of those stories because it could go on and on and on. And maybe you were the target of one of his practical jokes. He loved to pull off a good prank.

Jerry served on the Knox County Board for 10 years and at the time of his death was a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was the Chestnut Township Road Commissioner from 1985 to 1986 and at the time of his death was serving on the Indian Point Township Board of Directors. He was a longtime 4-H leader and was proud of his more than 50-year membership in the Knox County Farm Bureau. He also was a member of Prime Timers and the SRAAA Antique Tractor Club.

He loved to read, talk politics, travel with Mary Anne, conduct online research, collect belt buckles and antique tractors and spend time with his great-granddaughters. For decades, Jerry was a regular for early-morning coffee at Carolyn's in Abingdon, where he held court and told at least one of his stories.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 401 N. Washington St. in Abingdon. Rev. Scott Carnes will officiate. Burial will be in the Abingdon Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at the church. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Abingdon-Avon FFA, the Abingdon Community Festival Association, Feed My Lambs or the Abingdon United Methodist Church Stained Glass Window Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.