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 CRYSTAL LAKE - Jerome J. Mayer, 90, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at
Centegra Hospital - McHenry.
He was born June 6, 1919, in Crystal Lake, to Joseph H. and Bessie (Krejci)
Mayer. He married Helen Gilmartin on Feb. 23, 1946, at St. Joseph Church
in Bogota, N.J.
He joined the U.S. Navy on Sept. 19, 1943. He was assigned to the USS
Rhind and saw action in North Africa and in the invasion of Sicily and
Salerno. His ship patrolled the Atlantic as an escort for convoys from
the U.S. to Britain. His final phase took him to Pearl Harbor and the
Pacific, seeing action at Wake Island, Leyte, Saipan and Okinawa, and
after the cessation of fighting, to Pagan Island where Commodore Vernon
F. Grant accepted the surrender of Japanese forces there. His final
destination was San Diego and a discharge Jan. 8, 1946. He was very
proud of his service and joined both the Crystal Lake Veterans of
Foreign Wars and American Legion. He was instrumental in having the
Veterans Memorial Monument erected.
He was just as devoted to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church,
serving on many committees, for dinners, festivals, and many more church
activities. He was a charter member of Father McCormick Council Knights
of Columbus Council, joined the fourth degree, served as a grand knight,
and received an award from the Knights of the Round Table. He served the
community well as an active member of the Crystal Lake Kiwanis Afternoon
Club.
He is survived by his wife, Helen; his two sons, Jerry (Cathy) Mayer of
Baton Rogue, La., and Vince (Terrie) Mayer of Island Lake; and his
grandchildren, Rachel, Daniel (Kristen), Michael (Susan) and Doctor
Michelle.
We will miss our Brother and charter member, Jerry, sorely.
Rest in Peace! |
