Obituary of Gerald "Jerry" and Mary Jean (Feeney) Breen
With their buckets full, it was Jerry and Mary’s wishes to pass peacefully from this life after celebrating for nearly 61 years “for better or for worse”. There have been debates that Mary gave Jerry only 2 weeks to rest in peace; that being said, some have said it was the other way around.
Jerry was a proud member of the Teamster’s and Laborer’s unions; but the career that made him famous was at the Channahon Township for over 20 years. He was a great story teller, jokester, and prankster who was beloved by the town he spent his whole life in. He never tired of Gunsmoke reruns, Barney Fife and Earnest T. Bass, and when it came to sports, the Boston Bruins were the tops. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and cracking the whip at Rooster’s Hen House on Saturdays.
Mary was a licensed beautician and worked at the Channahon Township. She was a fierce card player; an addiction some say, sometimes even playing cards in her sleep. Her second passion was her love of cooking. Luckily, her four children picked up her culinary talents (or else it would have brought shame upon the family). Glazing a ham or slicing incorrectly could find you evicted from the kitchen, no matter your age.
Their children are Dawn (the late Bill) McDonough, Maura (Bill) Vessel, Missy (Russ) Ruettiger, and Derek (Dawn) Breen.
Proud grandparents of Erin McDonough, Morgan, Mallory and Andi Vessel, Leo (Kasandra) Ruettiger, Kevin and Mary Katherine Ruettiger, Taylor (Molly) Breen, Sydney Bea Monroe and Aidan Breen, and bonus grandchild, Joe Lukas. Great grandparents of Addison and Brooks Ruettiger
Jerry was born to Ambrose and Dorothy (Lamping) Breen. His siblings: Richard and Mary Loretta, Patricia (Roy) Todd, Janet (Glenn) Hansen, Virginia (Jackie) Feeney, Sharon (Charles) Wilhelmi, and Bob (Debbie) Breen. Mary was born to Jack and Dee (McDonald) Feeney. Her siblings: Darlene (Jim) Downey, Jim (Sharon), Jackie (Virginia), Mickey (Phyllis) and Pat (Michele). If you thought that you saw some names overlapping, you did… and that ain’t the half of it! A fond Uncle and Aunt to gazillions of nieces of nephews.
It is the Breen Family wishes that all be invited to their celebration of life well lived and happy memories on Saturday, February 15th at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home. Visitation begins at 9am, with a prayer service at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lightways Hospice, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit their Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
