Gerald "Jerry" Clarence Frye

Gerald “Jerry” Clarence Frye, age 84, lifelong resident of Byron, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Heritage Woods in Rockford, Illinois. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2019 at the United Church of Byron. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., prior to the service at the church. A graveside burial of ashes will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the Byron Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Church of Byron.

Jerry was born August 27, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Clarence and Alice (Dettmer) Frye. He graduated from Byron High School with the Class of 1954, then went on to serve in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1954-1962. On June 14, 1958, Gerald married Janet Hoffman. Together they raised five children and celebrated 61 years of marriage.

Jerry worked on many construction projects throughout Northern Illinois for Rogers Ready Mix and Materials for over 25 years until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed his work and the people he worked with. In his younger years, Jerry farmed and worked at several local gas stations. During the 1970’s, he owned Frye’s Gulf Station in Byron.
Jerry served the community as a volunteer fireman, delivered Meals-On-Wheels, was a member the Moose Lodge in Mt. Morris, Ducks Unlimited, and the United Church of Byron. He enjoyed traveling with Janet, spending winters in Florida at Anna Maria Island, and summers in Merrimac, Wisconsin. He particularly liked spending time outdoors doing yardwork and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jerry will be dearly missed by his wife Janet; a son, Dean (Cynthia) Frye of Machesney Park, Illinois; three daughters Deb (James) Eisfeller of Byron, Illinois, Darcie (Mike) Feltmeyer of Lanark, Illinois, and Paula (James) Shal of Johnsburg, Illinois; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (with one great-grandchild on the way!). Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Alice. His son, Brian Frye, passed away on April 6, 2020 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.