Gerald D. Harwick

Apple River, Illinois Gerald D. "Jerry" Harwick, 76, of Apple River, Illinois, died Monday, July 14, 2014, at Epione Pavilion in Cuba City. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2014, at Casey Funeral Home in Benton, with Bob Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Shawnee Cemetery in New Diggings with military rites accorded by the Apple River American Legion Post #298. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Benton. Friends may also call from 10-11:15 a.m. Friday morning at the funeral home before the service. Gerald was born on October 22, 1937, in Guilford, Illinois, the son of Delbert and Evelyn (Hammer) Harwick. He married Phyllis Teasdale at the Benton PM Church. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Jerry worked at different jobs after high school, such as farming, semi driver, for JI Case Company and tree trimming. He retired from trimming trees as owner of JDH Tree Service. Jerry enjoyed reading, western movies, and music. He was an avid euchre player, master gardener, and lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears and Cubs. He also enjoyed sitting on the porch swing drinking his "Old Mil" and visiting with friends and neighbors. The highlight of his life was all the time he spent with his special grandson Jamie, whom he loved so dearly. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; four daughters, Becky (Peter Block) Reed, of Dubuque, Amy (Roger) Dammen, of Hazel Green, Laura (John) Strause, of Shullsburg, and Verlea O'Hearn, of Rockford, IL; a son, Tony (Barb) Harwick, of Elkhorn, WI; a sister, Cheryl (Dave) Rollinger, of Apple River; three brothers, Donald (Ruth) Harwick, and Gene (Sue) Harwick, both of Warren, IL, and Kenneth (Clara) Harwick, of Machesney Park, IL; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Brian in 1966; a daughter, Kim in 1979; a sister, Darlene in 1976; and most recently a special nephew, Dawson in 2014. A special thank you to the staff of Epione Pavilion and Dr. White for all the wonderful care given to Jerry and the comfort given to his family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caseyfuneralhome.net.