Obituary of Gerald A. Mantia
Gerald A. “Jerry” Mantia
Gerald Mantia, of Newark, age 74, passed away peacefully at his home on March 10, 2023, with his loving family by his side.
Born July 27, 1948, in Joliet, IL, he was the son of Anthony and Dorothy (nee Boggio) Mantia. Jerry was raised in Minooka, IL and graduated with the class of 1966 from Minooka Community High School.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou (nee Sallese) Mantia; brother, David (Suzanne) Mantia; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Angelo (Linda) Sallese, Loretta (late Ron) Stuart and Michael (Joyce) Sallese; nieces and nephews, Marie (Matt) Becker, Michelle (Peter) Behnke, Melissa (Tim) Kilmer, Megan (Greg) Butterfield, Mackenzie Mantia. Patrick (Dyann) Sallese, Christopher (Ann) Sallese, Jennifer Sallese; Kevin (Amelia) Stuart, Richard (Amanda) Stuart, Michael (Megan) Sallese, Matthew (Kate) Sallese and Julie (Michael) Gornick. Many great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Dorothy (nee Boggio) Mantia, in-laws, Angelo and Rita (nee DeNovellis) Sallese, and brother-in-law, Ron Stuart.
Jerry worked as an Ironworker through Local 444, but his passion was farming which he was involved in his entire adult life. He farmed throughout the area and also raised cattle and calves. He was a member of the Will and Grundy County Farm Bureaus and the Cattleman’s Association.
He possessed a mechanical, methodical mind and a truly giving heart. He was always willing to lend a hand or help troubleshoot and find a way to solve any problem presented to him which earned him the nickname “Jerry-Rigger”. One of his favorite projects was rebuilding a ’57 Chevy from the ground up and painting it orange and black, the colors of his old high school.
The family would like to thank Lightways Hospice and Friends Over Fifty Senior Care for the care, compassion, and kindness shown to Jerry and his family.
Visitation for Gerald A. “Jerry” Mantia will be held Wednesday March 15, 2023 from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 1201 W. US Route 6,Morris, IL.
Funeral services will begin Thursday morning, March 16, 2023, 9 a.m. at the funeral home to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 E. Jackson Street in Morris where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Joliet, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerry’s name can be made to Lightways Hospice or the charity of the donor's choice.
For more information please call (815) 942-5040 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
