Jerry M. Chesnut, 72, of Atwood passed away peacefully in his home during the early morning hours of March 13, 2011.


Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East U.S. Highway 36, Atwood, with Brian Henningson officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hammond Cemetery, Hammond.


Mr. Chesnut was born March 11, 1939, in rural Jasper County, the son of Ivan D. and June McCrillis Chesnut. He enjoyed his childhood in Bogota, IL and graduated from Newton Community High School with the class of 1957. He retired in 2000 after 43 years as a journeyman wireman in the IBEW Local 146, Decatur. His hobbies were playing baseball in his youth, playing guitar and singing, golfing, and furniture building. A great joy was studying God's Word and teaching through Celebrate Life Ministries and Home Fellowship. He married Bonnie L. Wilson on June 3, 1961 in Atwood, IL.


Surviving are his wife of fifty years; daughters, Lori Knudsen and husband Scott of Champaign, Elisa Jamison and husband Bob of Atwood, Amy Davis and husband Steve of Hammond; one son, Joshua Chesnut and wife Karen of Hammond; mother June Chesnut of Atwood; brother Steve Chesnut of Atwood; sister Becky Schable of Tuscola; thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


Jerry was greeted in heaven by granddaughter Jenny Davis, his father, and grandparents.


"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8