Jerry L. Tuft

Jerry L. Tuft

Born: January 17, 1942

Died: February 25, 2021

ROCK FALLS – Jerry Lee Tuft, 79, of Rock Falls, IL died on Thursday, February 25, 2021 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born on January 17, 1942 in Sterling the son of George and Loretta (Peterson) Tuft.Jerry was an artist, a painter, and an illustrator. He was most proud of the mural he painted with his friend Jim Duis at the former General Distributing Company in Rock Falls.  He loved movies and music. Collecting DVDs, CDs, and vinyl albums was one of his favorite pastimes and his impressive collection took up entire walls of his home!

He was a lifelong athlete and sports fan – his knowledge of sports was encyclopedic. In high school, he was a talented basketball player and loved reminiscing about it. From an early age he loved cars – racing, driving, fixing. Most everyone who knew Jerry has a memory of him under the hood of one car or another. He loved Dale Earnhardt, the New York Yankees and the Green Bay Packers.

Jerry loved a party. Good food, good friends and good family were at the top of his list. He was a memorable addition to any gathering – larger than life is a phrase that comes up often when his friends describe time spent with him. He made us smile.

From 1960 to 1966, Jerry proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.

Jerry will be dearly missed by his sister, Shirley A. Moothart of Chadwick, IL; brother-in-law, Thomas (Betty) Lehmann of Spring, TX; his five nieces, Debra Stepp, Vickie (Jim) Zuck, Penny (Mark) Swalve, all of Chadwick, IL, Michelle (Max) Tuft of Chicago, IL, and Sarah (Michael) Burkhalter of Spring, TX; his three nephews, Michael Tuft of Downers Grove, IL, Thomas Lehmann Junior of Spring, TX, and George (Kim) Tuft of Sterling, IL; as well as his 18 grandnieces and grandnephews and seven great-grand nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, George and Loretta Tuft; brother George E. Tuft and sister Betty L. Lehmann.

A color guard salute will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 12 noon at McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Avenue, Rock Falls, IL. A celebration of life will immediately follow at Nick's Tap, 1301 Prophetstown Road, Rock Falls, IL. Proper social distancing and COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at The American Legion, 6011st Avenue, Sterling, IL.