Surnames: Muehler, Schaller, Diers, Garza, Jeschke, Szymanowski, June, Hawthorne, Sivulka, Bredow

----Sources: The Woodstock Independent (Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois) 13 March 2005

Muehler, Gerald Andrew 'Jerry' (8 Aug. 1923 - 1 March 2005)

Gerald Andrew "Jerry" Muehler, 81, Woodstock, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at Centegra Memorial Medical Center, Woodstock, due to complications from a stroke. He was born Aug. 8, 1923, in Holton Township, Wis., to Otto J. and Adele A. (Schaller) Muehler. He was raised and educated in the rural school of Dorchester, Wis. He enlisted in the Army in June 1944 where he served in the European African Middle Eastern Theatre and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where he received many honors and medals. Prior to his discharge June 12, 1946, he was a communications chief.

He married Jeanette Mae Diers Sept. 18, 1946, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Milan, Wis. He was a foster father to many children between 1961 and 1979. He was ordained a Deacon of the Roman Catholic Church March 3, 1979, and was fortunate to have baptized and married many of his grandchildren. He was a machine shop manager until his retirement in 1983. He was a member of VFW Post 5040, Woodstock; a third degree Knights of Columbus member; a member of St. Mary's Council 11666, Huntley; and a fourth-degree Knights of Columbus member, Fr. Mazzuchilli Assembly, Freeport.

Survivors include his wife, Woodstock; six children, Duane (Dawn) Muehler, Huntley, Janice (Eloy) Garza, McHenry, Jayne Jeschke, Huntley, Dale (Larry Szymanowski) Muehler, Hammond, Ind., Darrell (Jeff June) Muehler, Palatine, and Judy (Jeffrey) Hawthorne, Lake Geneva, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Bernice Sivulka, Medford, Wis., and Gladys Bredow, Two Harbors, Wis.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael J. Muehler, in 1982; and a brother, Vernon Muehler, in 1998.

Visitation was March 4 at James A. O'Connor Funeral Home, Huntley. Mass of Christian Burial was held March 5 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley.

Burial was private at River Valley Memorial Gardens, West Dundee. Contributions to the church for Masses or to the charity of the donor's choice can be made.

Submitted: Saturday, March 12, 2005