Jerry Hines of Carmel, IN, formerly of Tuscola, IL passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, May 28th, 2023. He was 94 years old.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 9, 2023 at the Villa Grove First Christian Church, 701 N. Sycamore Street, Villa Grove, IL with Rev. Mike Zylstra officiating. Burial will be in the Tuscola Township Cemetery with military graveside rites accorded.

Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the services at the church.

Jerry was born on April 24th, 1929, in Benton, IL to the late Jesse and Juanita (Luke) Hines.

Jerry was indeed part of the Greatest Generation, having left high school to enlist in the Army during WWII. His desire to serve was such that he listed his age as 17 to gain admittance, when in fact he was only 16 years old when he volunteered. He was a member of the 774th Tank Battalion and was stationed in a number of locations throughout Germany, including Nuremburg.

Following his discharge, Jerry traveled the country and took a number of different jobs. His experiences included working as an airplane mechanic for the Douglas Aircraft Company in St. Louis, MO, and on charter planes in New Orleans, LA. In 1955, Jerry moved to the town of Tuscola, IL and began working and US Industrial Chemicals (USI). He would spend the next 36 years there serving in various operator and supervisory roles.
In late 1955, he met a young woman named Shirley Young on a blind date and it was love at first sight. They married on June 2nd, 1956, just 7 months after that first date.

Jerry loved sports of all kinds. He particularly enjoyed baseball (he was not only a switch hitter but ambidextrous as well, throwing the ball equally well with either hand) and was an avid supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals. Jerry also loved golf and was still playing at 93 years of age. His true passion though, was for his family. Jerry and Shirley were parents to five children, all born within 6 years of each other. He worked extremely hard to provide for his family, working alternate shifts at USI and taking odd jobs cleaning the local Dairy Queen and installing TV antennas for Flock Electronics.

Jerry is survived by his sister, Cora Wood of Galveston, TX and four children: Jeff (Patty) Hines of Carmel, IN, Scott Hines of Layfayette, IN, Laura Hines of San Antonio, TX, and Linda Hines-Werts (Robert) of Homer, IL. Jerry was also survived by his three beloved grandchildren, Alex (Katie) Hines of Indianapolis, IN, Annie Hines of Houston, TX, and Tyler Werts of Homer, IL.

In addition to his parents and his wife of 65 years, Shirley, Jerry was preceeded in death by his son Paul Hines and his brother, Robert Hines.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made in Jerry's name to the American Heart Association.

Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Tuscola, IL is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com.