Sending you the obituary of my friend John "Jack" Gerrard, who died 8/30/2003.

John W. Gerrard, 73, of Oglesby died of a heart attack August 30. He served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War. He was an employee of A&P Supermarket for 35 years. He later worked for GNO.

Jack was a member of the La Salle Horshoe League, the ILSHPA and the Senior Bowling League.

Jack pitched his last tournament in Eau Claire, where he finished 7-8.

Jack is survived by his wife, three sons, three daughters, and 14 grandchildren.

John W. Gerrard, 73, of 2602 E 450th Rd, Oglesby, died at 7:27 P.M. Aug. 30, 2003, in Illinois Valley Community Hospital, Peru.

Services will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday in Shields Funeral Chapel, Oglesby. Burial will be in St. Hyacinth's Cemetary, La Salle.

Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Wednesday in the funeral chapel.

Mr. Gerrard was born July 14, 1930, in La Salle to John W. and Marie E. (Kolowski) Gerrard. He married Barbara Brucki on June 24th, 1967, in St. Hyacinth's Church, La Salle.

He served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War. He worked as assistant manager for A&P Supermarket in Ottawa for five years. He later worked at GNO in Peru.

He was a member of La Salle Horshoe League for many years and the National Horshoe Pitching Association; Oglesby Fire District Board for 30 years, where he served as president; and Senior Bowling League, where he served as past president. He bowled for First State Bank in Mendota.

Survivors are his wife, Barbara of Oglesby; three sons, Greg (Shelly) Gerrard of Utica, NY; John A. (Donna) Gerrard of Dalzell, and Jeffrey (Kenni) Gerard of Kennewick, WA; three daughters, Karen (Jeff) Blair of Washington, IL, Lauri (Larry) Laurer of Tonica, and Jaci Gerrard of Oglesby; 14 grandchildren; and two sisters, Marilyn Gerrard and Shirley Swartz, both of La Salle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and three sisters.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

A footnote on the death of Jack Gerrard. Last spring we went down to Palmer to look at their indoor horseshoe court. Jack was so impressed, he said he was going to build one over his stakes at his home. I thought he was just talking, and let it go at that. Well he went to the World Tournament, held his own (7-8), and then came home, and had the building built. He was going to keep it a secret until it was finished, but his untimely death changed everything. He was planning to go to Idaho this year, where his son lives, to the National tourney. --- The horseshoe building still needs a floor, electrical work, and a heating unit. His wife is planning to finish the project, once her life gets back to normal. She said all the local players will be able to play there, once it is completed. --- Jack was buried with his horseshoes. He really loved the game. Illinois Court Reporter