Raymond Gerkitz

Raymond Leonard Gerkitz, Sr. 66, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Friday, October 5, 2012 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at St. Columba Church with Rev. Michael Driscoll, chaplain at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Ray was born September 5, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to Edward and Theresa (Stubenfoll) Gerkitz. He married Janice Block on October 16, 1965 at St. Joseph and St. Ann Church in Chicago. He was a member of St. Columba Church in Ottawa. He worked as a printer in the Chicago land area. He received a certificate in auto mechanics from IVCC. He worked many years as a Communications Installer before building a retirement cabin with his wife in Ridgedale, Missouri. He loved being home around his family. He enjoyed cooking and he liked to do projects around the house. He liked to do wood crafts and bowled in bowling leagues in his younger years. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Janice; sons, Ray Jr. (Heather) Gerkitz, Scott Gerkitz, and David Gerkitz; daughter, Donna (David) Ortiz; fourteen grandchildren, Kristopher and Emma Gerkitz, Haley, Scotty, Madison, Joseph, and Lily Gerkitz, Michaela, Dustin, and Patrick Gerkitz, Cody Haskins, Allyssa (Mike) Sereno, Alexandra Rey and Michael Ortiz; two great grandchildren, Olivia Ann and Bailey Rae Sereno; brothers, Edward (Dena) Gerkitz of Thomson, GA and Richard (Eva) Gerkitz of Phoenix, AZ; mother-in-law, Wanda Block; two sister-in-laws, Carol Rudd and Rosemary Smith, both of Chicago; and lots of aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Dustin Kristoffer Gerkitz; a grandson, Tanner Paul Scott Gerkitz; his parents, Edward and Theresa Gerkitz; a sister, Theresa (Gerkitz) Pryztula; a brother, Joseph Gerkitz; and a Godchild, Richard Gerkitz. Pallbearers will be Kristopher Gerkitz, Scotty Gerkitz, Michael Ortiz, Mike Sereno, Edward Gerkitz, Frank Pryztula, Russell Gerkitz, and Jim Pitts. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital.