Richard (Dick) Jaeger 86, died peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 24, 2012, the culmination of a beautiful life that touched the hearts of many.
A lifelong resident of Geneva, IL, Dick was educated at St. Patrick's grade school (St. Charles) and Marmion Military Academy.
As a young man, Dick sang tenor in barbershop quartet with his father and his two brothers. After service in the Army Air Force during World War II, he graduated from Loras College in Dubuque Iowa where he met and married his wife Norma, with whom he recently celebrated 62 joyous years of marriage. Together they embarked on a wonderful family life with eight children.
Dick was the sales manager of the Elmhurst Chicago Stone Company for 35 years and was past president of the Illinois Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
He was tireless in his involvement in his community and church, chiefly as a fundraiser. Dick was elected to the Geneva School Board and served on the Geneva History Center board.
He was a communicant of the old and new St. Peter Church in Geneva where he taught religious education for 17 years. His love for his church was evidenced by countless hours of service to St. Peter's. He was thrilled to have attended a Papal Mass in Rome with his wife and daughters.
Dick enjoyed an active retirement. He used his woodworking skills, first creating Christmas ornaments depicting historic buildings of Geneva that he and Norma used to help raise funds for the Geneva History Center and then began building model replicas of the buildings. These award-winning pieces of folk art, on display at the Geneva History Center, are a reminder of his affection for his hometown. An avid sport fisherman, Dick travelled all over North America, as recently as this past summer, with his sons and close friends.
Dick's proudest achievement was his close family. Dick leaves his wife, Norma, and children, Richard II, Sue (David Mitchell), J. Patrick (Julie), Nan (Richard Manning), Beth, Paula (Paul Pikowitz) and David (Theresa) along with nine grandchildren, Ryan, Ashley, and Richard Jaeger III, Christopher, David and Stephanie Mitchell, Madeline and Corinne Manning and Grace Jaeger. He also leaves his brother, Gene (Florence), sister, Mary, and sister-in-law Eleanor.
Dick was a dear friend, father figure and mentor to many. He was preceded in death by his son, Steven, his parents, Justin and Blanche, his brother Jack, and sisters Bette Koehler, Ann Cantrall and Judy.
Funeral prayers will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at the Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St. (Route 38), Geneva, proceeding to St. Peter Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Road, Geneva, for celebration of Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. with Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Jarmoluk celebrant.
Burial will be follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Geneva.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at the Malone Funeral Home, Geneva, with a Rosary recited at 8:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Richard Jaeger Memorial Fund for the Geneva Township Senior Center, c/o Harris Bank, at any Harris Bank location.
Arrangements handled by Malone Funeral Home.
For more information, call 630-232-8233.
This notice and photo are courtesy of Malone Funeral Home.
