Gerald "Jerry" Fast 1935—2021
Gerald "Jerry" Fast, 86, of Belvidere, Illinois passed away peacefully on June 6, 2021. Jerry was born March 31, 1935 in Rockford, Illinois son of Walter and Evangeline (Johnson) Fast. He graduated from East High School in Rockford, Illinois and went on to study at North Park College in Chicago, Illinois. Jerry married his sweetheart, Joyce Johnson, on May 2, 1959 at Broadway Covenant Church in Rockford, Illinois. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage before she preceded him in death. Jerry retired from Hershey Foods after working many years in sales. He served as a Sunday school teacher for several years and loved to volunteer with The Salvation Army and Gideon's International in particular. The four most important things in Jerry's life were: faith, family, friends and food. Jerry loved a good church potluck. Jerry had a lifelong interest in cars. His favorite hobby was clock and watch collecting. Jerry also loved to travel with his wife Joyce. Jerry had a contagious laugh that he was known for and a great sense of humor. He was a loyal and devoted man in his faith, his work and his family.
Jerry is loved and missed by his children Janelle (Paul) Beilke, Jon (Renee) Fast and Juliana (James) Hatfield; grandchildren Ryan, Megan, Michael, and Ben; two great-grandchildren; as well as countless nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by both parents, his beloved wife Joyce, and two sisters.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 10:45 on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at First Baptist Church. 1255 West Jackson Street Belvidere, Illinois 61008. Funeral service to follow at 11:00 am with Pastor David Love officiating. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be not be a luncheon served. Private family internment at Belvidere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jerry's honor may be made to the Rockford Rescue Mission or Gideons International. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com.

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

Published by Rockford Register Star from Jun. 7 to Jun. 9, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Fast

Sponsored by Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services - Belvidere.

4 Entries

Robert Fullone

December 8, 2023

I worked with Jerry at Hershey Chocolate for many years. He was always so helpful and friendly. He was the first person I met when I started with the company. Always so welcoming. I just noticed this now.
May he and Joyce rest in peace. They are missed.

Shannon Tenney

June 9, 2021

Salt of the Earth
A kind hearted, true friend
Closer than a brother

These are just a few words I would use to describe my friend Jerry Fast.

Jerry had the most awesome and contagious laugh. If something tickled Jerry’s funny bone, you knew it, because his uproarious laughter could fill the entire room.

The last time I saw Jerry was right after he was admitted to Swede’s. I asked him if he wanted anything like balloons or flowers. He said no I don’t want anything like that. He just liked his favorite candy I brought him.

While there, I read some uplifting verses from Psalms and prayed for Jerry. We had a wonderful visit. We just laughed and laughed just like we usually did, even during his last major difficulty on this earth.

Faith / Family / Friends and Food --- Those were truly Jerry’s priorities. He cherished God and his prayer life reflected that devotion. “I thank Thee God for my family and for thine many blessings” His prayers brought us to the very throne of God’s grace. Jerry’s greatest desire was to bring all glory and honor to God.

Jerry’s faith was strong. He loved God’s Word and wanted to share it with others. God’s Word is sweeter than honey. Just last month at 86 years young, he handed out Gideon pocket Testaments with us to the precious youth on the sidewalk in front of the Belvidere South Middle school and High school.

Jerry loved his family and spoke so fondly of all of you. He was such a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He would share wonderful family milestones with me. Jerry was also so thankful for his many friends and shared frequent updates with me.

Jerry told me that his greatest concern was for all in his family and for all his friends to trust Jesus as their Savior.

Jerry shared a secret with me. He told me his favorite candy, but I promised not to tell anyone. Someday, but only because I am a sinner saved by God’s grace, I will find out what Jerry’s favorite candy is in heaven. Will you?

Have you ever wondered what candy tastes like in Heaven? Now that Jerry is walking the streets of gold, I am sure he would want us all to know that it is delicious and we should make plans to taste it there!

God Bless, Shannon & Joan Tenney

Brad Salley

June 9, 2021

Jerry was a fellow I met after gave a Gideon Message at Shiloh Free Church years ago. Then he became a member of our Boone Camp. He was Gideon speaker for me. I put together clocks, and Jerry did lots of clock work for me. Most of all, he was a great witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. We will surely miss him.

God Bless,

Brad and Judy Salley

Erica Lord

June 8, 2021

Uncle Jerry brought joy into a house like no one I’ve ever met. He swept in with a big smile, bear hugs and a brown paper grocery sack packed full of candy and it was like a holiday the whole time he was there. Suddenly the house was full of laughter and the world was just brighter. My mom would insist that the entire bag of candy was for her (and maybe it was- those two were thick as thieves) and she would squirrel it away. He was the best listener incredibly generous with his time and attention. He had that rare and wonderful ability to make you feel important and genuinely heard. Heaven is certainly brighter with him in it. Wishing you comfort and peace in your grief. I love you guys.

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