Gerald Martin Bakker

Gerald (Jerry) Martin Bakker age 90 of Peotone, IL passed peacefully on February 17, 2025 surrounded in love by his kids in his family home. Gerald was born in Chicago on September 18, 1934 and was raised in Midlothian with six siblings. Gerald met the love of his life, Joyce, and soon started dating after high school. He learned to roller-skate so he could skate with Joyce who was an excellent skater. They were married October 12, 1957 and lived in Midlothian for several years before moving to Mokena and eventually Peotone. Jerry had a strong work ethic and held several different jobs in manufacturing, construction, and operated several businesses including Country Place in Peotone, IL. Through his life he continued to enjoy construction, dogs, diagraming on graph paper, reviewing road maps, and sitting by lakes and rivers. His sense of humor, warm personality, and caring nature made him a favorite at gatherings. His pride and joy were his family and the great grandchildren especially warmed his heart. Gerald is survived by his wife (Joyce), children Cheryl, Lorie, Patrick (Colleen), six grandkids Amanda (Logan), Benjamin (Shelby), Andrew, Kelsey (Chris), Jordan (Becca), Renae (Dillon), and eight great grandkids (Landon, Georgia Grace, Ava, Eli, Rayna, Elena, Lydia, Calvin) and many friends. He is also survived by siblings Gert Rybak and Jim (Sharon) Bakker, sister-in-law’s Helene Bakker and Jaci Bakker, and close long-term friends Russ (Sharon) Jacobs and Will (Patricia) David. Gerald was preceded in death by siblings Paul (Marty), Richard, Ruth, Benard, brother-in-law Joe Rybak, and son-in-law Keith Zwolinski. The family is very grateful to his caregivers Cheryl and Lorie for their devotion along with Uplifted Care and Peotone Paramedics and Fire Department. We would like to thank all of you for your love, support, prayers and acts of kindness. A Celebration of Life event will be planned and announced in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to donor's choice.