Jerry Martin, earlier photo

MENDOTA - Jerome “Jerry” P. Martin, 73, of Mendota, formerly of Sterling, passed away June 24, 2018 at Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, June 27 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Jerry Graham officiating. Burial will be at Greenfield Cemetery, LaMoille at a later date with military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon on June 27 at the funeral home.

Jerry was born June 25, 1944 in Rockford to Tom and Lauretta Rita (Crowe) Martin Sr.

Survivors include three daughters, Barb (Julio) Cantu, Brenda Martin Miller and Tammy Martin, all of Sterling; a stepson, Bill (Martha) Repsel of Adams, Tenn.; two brothers, Tom (Bonnie) Martin and Kevin Martin, both of Mendota; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Martin of San Antonio, Texas, Jacob (Jessica) Miller, Samantha Schrader, Alex Rangel, Trenton Cantu and Joe Marchiorato, all of Sterling and Matthew Repsel of Adams, Tenn.; two great-granddaughters, Aiyana Martin of San Antonia, Texas and Elaine Miller of Sterling; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friend, Cathy Reutner of Mendota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Kay Castillo; one niece, Diane “Duffy” Castillo Carver; and a great-niece, Crystal Elaine.

Jerry attended LaMoille High School, then entered the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He worked at Northwestern Steel and Wire in Sterling in the 1980s before returning to the Mendota area to work at Mendota Ag Products. He went back to the Sterling area in 2009. He enjoyed helping his son-in-law, Julio with home improvement projects and taking trips to Tennessee with his brothers. He also enjoyed having cookouts at his daughter Barb’s house. For his birthday this year, a cookout will be held to celebrate his life at the home of his brother, Kevin, following the funeral.

Memorials may be directed to the family.