Jerry Ellet

October 22, 1940 - November 25, 2017

Jerry L. Ellet, age 77 years, a resident of rural Vienna, passed away unexpectedly Saturday evening, November 25, 2017, at 5:30 PM at the Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Jerry was born October 22, 1940 in Grand Tower (Jackson County) Illinois. He was the third child born to Ervin and Clora Mae (Clutts) Ellet. On November 25, 1961, Jerry was united in marriage to Maxine F. Reiman in Murphysboro, Illinois. She survives. Additionally, Jerry is survived by: his children – Wesley (his wife, Jill) Ellet of Marion, Joanna (her husband, Mark) Odum of Hanson, Kentucky, and Lisa (her husband, Kevin) Fisk of Cordova, Tennessee; 5 grandchildren – Matt (his wife, Liz) Ellet, James (his wife, Jenna) Ellet, Aimee Odum, Aaron (his wife, Gabrielle) Odum, and Ella Fisk; 4 great grandchildren – Gavin Scott Lewis, Tamera Ellen Ellet, Renley Rae Odum, and River Anne Ellet; 4 sisters – Charlene Yandell of Tunnel Hill, Eunice (her husband, Lewis) Clover, Sherry (her husband, Steve) Densford, and Theresa Pinnon all of Grand Tower; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by: a brother – Wesley Dean Ellet; a sister – Ella Mae Baltzel; an infant brother; an infant granddaughter – Briana Lee Odum; and 2 brothers-in-law – D. Ray Yandell and Charles “Rabbit” Pinnon. Jerry had served in the United States Navy. He was employed by Gould Battery Company in South Chicago Heights. Later, he was employed as an electrical repairman in the assembly division of the Ford Motor Company plant in Chicago. Jerry also served as a volunteer fireman for the Steger, Illinois Fire Department prior to being seriously injured in an electrical accident on May 19, 1976. Jerry was a member of the Southside Sportsman’s Club in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Crete, Illinois. In his spare time, Jerry pursued a number of hobbies and activities, including: fishing, operating remote control boats and airplanes, owning and flying ultralight aircraft, camping, as well as collecting and showing antique and classic automobiles. A service honoring the life of Jerry Ellet will be conducted Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at 12 Noon at First Baptist Church, 301 North 7th St., Vienna, Illinois. Dr. Ed Hollis will officiate. Immediately following the service a luncheon for family and friends will be held in the church fellowship hall. A graveside committal service will be held at 3 PM Tuesday afternoon in Walker Hill Cemetery at Grand Tower, Illinois. Visitation will be conducted Tuesday morning from 10 AM – 12 Noon at the First Baptist Church in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 727, Vienna, Illinois 62995. The family suggests that donations may be directed either to the food pantry program or to the church building fund.