Gerald "Jerry" Conness

Gerald (Jerry) R. Conness Jerry Conness, 70, of Lake Geneva, WI, passed away on February 1, 2011, at Brookfield Specialty Care Nursing Home in Brookfield, WI, where he was residing at the end of his struggle with cancer. Jerry was born in Ottawa, IL, on May 7, 1940, to Edmund Conness and Laura (Wieczorek) Conness. He attended Marquette High School and graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in Delavan, WI. He went on to earn a B.S. in Political Science from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. After teaching at the junior high school level, he followed his dad into the electrical trade, and was an electrician for the majority of his career. He was a lifelong member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local #176. He lived most of his life in Ottawa, IL, and Delavan and Lake Geneva, WI. Jerry married Jeanette Babiar and had two children, Christine Conness Beury and Shaun Conness. He will be remembered for his love of family and sports, and belief in a healthy lifestyle and the Catholic faith. An accomplished athlete, Jerry played football, baseball, and basketball in high school and basketball in college. Always an avid sports fan, he could chat for hours about all his favorite teams. A health nut way ahead of his time, he would share his learnings with anyone who would listen on the benefits of vitamins, regular exercise, and a healthy diet. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert (Bobby) and James (Jimmy), and his beloved mother and father, as well as many wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his children, son-in-law, Keith Beury, and grandsons, Wade and Carson Beury, all residing in California. Visitation will be 10:30 to 12:30 on Monday at the Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial 1:00 PM Monday February 7, 2011 at St. Columba Church. Burial will be in the St. Columba Cemetary. The online guestbook may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com. Ottawa Funeral Home 1111 LaSalle St., Ottawa, IL 61350 815-433-0300 Www.ottawafuneralhome.com