Gerald "Jerry" Walsh

Gerald "Jerry" Walsh, 87, of Serena, passed away Friday, March 15, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on Wednesday, March 20, at Ottawa Funeral Home. There will also be a visitation from 9:00am until 10:00am on Thursday, March 21, at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Thursday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Msgr. Mark Merdian officiating. Private burial will take place in St. Columba Cemetery.

Jerry was born July 17, 1936 in Ottawa, IL to William and Florence (Keating) Walsh. He married Harriet Todd on January 5, 1957 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Somonauk.

Jerry was a retired plumber and pipefitter with locals 81 and then 597 for 65 years. He was also a lifelong farmer, tending to his crops and raising cattle. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He liked going camping,  especially down by the river and in Canada. He and Harriet spent many years wintering in Florida, and made many longtime friends. He enjoyed going to the rodeo, attending the Sandwich Fair, as well as going shopping at flea markets. He was a 3rd Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, a member of St. Joseph Church in Wedron, and the Loyal order of the Moose.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Harriet Walsh; his children, Steve (Julie) Walsh, Scott (Anne) Walsh, Marty (Susan) Walsh, and Patty (Dan) Buckley; his grandchildren, Anna Olsen, Alicia (Curt) Squires, Shannon, Sarah, and Sean Walsh, Shelbi (Kaedon) Cronkright, Patrick and Johnny Walsh, and Brittany, Brandon, and Brooke Buckley; his great grandchildren, William Olsen and Audry and Lucy Squires; his brother, Robert "Bob" (Betty) Walsh; his sister, Kay (Guy) Woodworth; his brother in law, David "Bud” Todd; and his sister in law, Margie Pasley.

He was preceded in death by parents, William and Florence; and his brother and sister in law, Ed and Norma Walsh.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Brandon, Curt, Sean, Johnny, and Patrick, and his great grandson, William. Honorary Pallbearers, Dave Tuntland and Dennis Dougherty.

Memorials may be directed to the family to distribute to causes that were important to Jerry.