Jerome Paul "Jerry" Wenzel

Jerome Paul “Jerry” Wenzel. 85, of Harrisburg, Ill., formerly of Junction went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 15, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones.  Jerry was born on September 17, 1933 in Bowlesville.  The youngest son of Joseph George and Delia Mary (Dailey) Wenzel.  He married the love of his life Carole “Sue” Caldwell on February 29, 1960 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Old Shawneetown, with this marriage came three beautiful kids.  His only son, Stacy (Pam) Wenzel of Junction; first born daughter, Holly (Gregory) Jackson of Casper, Wyo.; and his baby girl, Delia (Roby) Podoriscki of Harrisburg.  The family continued to grow with seven grandchildren, Jerome Wenzel, Colt (Lane) Wenzel, Carole (Chris) Jackson, Gabby (Ethan) Applegate, Brayden Jackson, Blane Podoriscki, Ann Marie Podoriscki; six great grandchildren five being boys, Colden, Davis, Brady, Asher, Sawyer, and one girl his first great granddaughter, Noelle.  Jerry is joining in heaven; his parents; four brothers, Jay, Carl, Daniel, and Earl Wenzel; seven sisters, Loretta Case, Florence Willis, Marion Bryant, Rosemary Hopson, Katherine Gross, Ida Swansey, and Betty Wenzel.  Now he is happy in heaven with all his large family.  Jerry was a Korean War Veteran that served in the United States Navy.  Then he started his career in the coal mine industry, sawmill, logging, farming, thoroughbred racing, and ended his career at the age of seventy-eight years old as a truck driver where he went by “Treetopper”.  Jerry was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Harrisburg, Ridgway Knights of Columbus fourth degree Knight, L.A. Lambert Council no. 1581.  Jerry was a such a giving man he would help anyone at any given time.  To us he was best known as Husband, Pop, Daddy, and Papa.  Love you, Daddy!!  We will all miss you dearly. Visitation for Jerry will be on Monday, August 19th  from 3 p.m. until Mass time at 6 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Harrisburg with Father Steven Beatty and Father Christian officiating.  Internment will be at a later date at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery near Shawneetown.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Cemetery or Alzheimer’s Assn.