Gerald W. Boles, 78, of Chenoa passed away June 6, 2008 at 11:28PM at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, Chenoa.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 from 6-8:00PM at Duffy-PIls Memorial Home, Chenoa with a prayer service at 5:30PM.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10:30AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Chenoa. Fr. Tom Shea and Fr. Carl LoPresti will be officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Chenoa.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the family.
Gerald was born Aug. 26, 1929 in Fairbury the son of Harley and Thelma Hoover Boles. They preceded him in death. He married Bernice Schopp on April 28, 1951 in Chenoa. She survives.
Also surviving are four sons, Thomas (Genevieve) Boles of Houston, TX, Steven (Rita) Boles, Patrick R. Boles and John D. Boles all of Chenoa; one daughter-in-law Deana Boles of Chenoa; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; one sister Imogene Roberts of Hudson.
Gerald was preceded in death by one son Timothy Boles and one daughter Mary Alice Boles.
He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force.
Gerald began Boles Hardware and Dri-Gas Inc. in Chenoa in 1957 and also started Turftreet Lawn Care Service. He last worked for Pontiac RV as a salesman.
He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Chenoa, lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW, Businessmen of Chenoa, AOPA, Pontiac Elks Club, Rotary Club, NRA and was one of the original founders, past president and secretary of the Log Slough Club of Pike Co.
Gerald was the Captain of the Chenoa Fire Department for 30 years. He was the City Clerk in Chenoa for many years where he helped establish and erect the Chenoa water tower.
Gerald was a leader in propane conversion for automobiles and trucks and was the author of Organizing and Operating a Successful Hunting Club. He also was a very active man in his community and a very loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and a great-grandfather who will be greatly missed.