MENDOTA - Gerald T. “Jerry” Shannon, 93, of Mendota passed away peacefully on Nov. 23, 2020 at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota.

There will be no visitation or services at this time. Cremation rites have been accorded. Plans are being made for a graveside memorial service with full military rites conducted by Mendota VFW Post 4079, burial at Restland Cemetery, Mendota and a “celebration of life” to follow. The services and burial are scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family and handling the arrangements.

Jerry was born July 4, 1927 at home on the family farm in Troy Grove Township to James P. and Anita M. (Warren) Shannon. He married Rosalie M. Haremski at Saint Hyacinth Catholic Church in LaSalle on March 31, 1951. They were blessed to be married 61 years before she preceded him in death on Aug. 19, 2012.

Survivors include his children, Barbara A. (Larry “Mick”) Hartley of Mendota and James A. Shannon of Eureka; three grandchildren, Jesse (Cynthia) Hartley of Montclair, Calif., Heather (Gregg) Mumm of Troy Grove and Shannon Hartley of Mendota; five great-grandchildren, Karina, Justin and Aiden of Montclair, Calif. and Travis and Makenzie Rose of Troy Grove; two sisters, Ella B. (“Baynie”) Mahar of Mendota and (B.) Joyce Setchell of Princeton; one sister-in-law, Ann M. Zemenski of Oregon, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, “Rosie;” one brother, James P. “Pat” Shannon; one sister, Helen S. Reppin; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Jerry attended the Pohl School and the Gorman School, both of which were little country schools in Meriden Township. He graduated from 8th grade in 1941 and then attended Mendota Township High School until 1943 completing through 9th grade. He was an honorable World War II veteran serving with the U.S Army from 1945-1947 and received a World War II Victory Medal during his active duty service. He spent 35 years as a diesel mechanic working first at the (FS) Farm Supply Shop in Mendota and then at the Growmark, Inc. Shop in Yorkville before retiring in the fall of 1986. Then for several years, he worked for the News Tribune in LaSalle as a rural newspaper courier/carrier and then for the Schimmer Pontiac-Buick-Olds-Chevrolet dealership in Mendota (now Schimmer, Inc. Chevrolet-Buick) as a part-time driver for the dealership.

His favorite hobby and passion for many years were his “Spring and Fall” annual fishing trips to Minnesota or Wisconsin with his fishing buddies, Abe and Bob. He also enjoyed a good card game of euchre with his friends and also his family at the annual Shannon holiday gatherings. But mostly, he enjoyed and loved his family especially visiting and telling his stories to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of Mendota Moose Lodge 714 and Mendota VFW Post 4079. He also was a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mendota. Jerry will greatly and sadly be missed by all of his family and friends. May he now rest in peace with his wife in heaven amongst the angels.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations may be made to Mendota Moose Lodge 714, Mendota VFW Post 4079, the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle or directed to the family.