Jerome F. Reilly

 Jerome "O.J." F. Reilly, age 86, of Lancaster, died on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at his home in Lancaster. He was born on March 18, 1923, in Platteville. He was drafted into the United Sates Navy in 1942. Jerome served his country in the Pacific Theatre and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Seaman First Class. On January 28, 1947, Jerome was united in marriage to Mary Jane Fuerstenberg. She preceded him in death on May 22, 1988. Jerome was employed with John Deere for six years and later he was employed with Dubuque Packing Company as a Butcher, retiring after twenty-eight years. He was an avid Packers and Brewers fan and enjoyed hunting. Jerome was a lifetime member of the William Pollock VFW Post No. 2344 of Lancaster. He loved spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Mary, Jerome was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Guerdon (Hellen) Reilly, Delores (John) Finan,  Cletus Reilly, Merlin "Johnny" (Margarette) Reilly, Jeanette Healy, and Robert Reilly, and a special friend, Delores Manuel.

Survivors include his children: Richard (Odelia) Reilly, Tracy, CA; John (Annette) Reilly, Edgerton; Catherine (Mark) Schleicher, Glen Haven; his grandchildren: Michael (Kaitlyn) Reilly, Evansville; April Schleicher,  Prairie du Chien; Andrew (Kori) Reilly, Edgerton; Jim (Samantha Vogt) Schleicher, Prairie du Chien; Brandon (Erin) Reilly, Marshall; Steven Reilly, Edgerton; four great-grandchildren: Angela, Katie, Emily and Jayden; and his special friends, Dennis Kotte and Nora Bevins.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 25, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the  First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating. Burial with military honors was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called on Thursday, September 24, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Friday at the church.