Jerry Biederman

Jerry Biederman enjoyed life, appreciating his family and his journey. At the age of 84, Jerry passed away after a sudden illness at home, on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. He was a thoughtful husband and loving father and grandfather. He was known as “Big Grandpa” to the great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, December 30, 2023 at the Law Jones Funeral Home, Thomson, Illinois. Burial will be in Lower York Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for visitation 11am – 2pm Saturday, December 30 at the funeral home. You're also welcome to join the livestream at https://www.facebook.com/groups/742925504561372/?ref=share_group_link .

Jerry was born June 3, 1939, at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, the son of Jennings and Violet (Bruckner) Biederman. His mom accepted a job at the Savanna Army Depot during WWII, and they moved to Savanna. After attending Savanna Schools, he went to work with his dad, driving truck and hauling rock for Biederman Trucking.

When he was nineteen, Jerry was visiting Hanover and he met the future love of his life, Shirley Flies. On May 27, 1961, the day after Shirley’s graduation, Jerry and Shirley were married at the Hanover United Methodist Church. They raised two children, Jerry Wayne and Jeanie, and celebrated 62 years of marriage. The kids fondly remember helping Dad farm pumpkins, squash and watermelon as they operated Biederman Produce in the driveway, “honk for service”.

After driving truck, Jerry worked for the Railroad in Clinton, Iowa. He then learned to become a Pipefitter and belonged to the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 25, retiring in 2001.

Jerry was easy to like, his laugh and voice were unique, and Jerry loved to tell a good story. He would talk hunting, fishing, cars, guns and just about anything else with anyone. He loved to hunt rabbit and pheasant with his dog, fished behind his cabin on the Apple River, and loved caring for and driving his ’67 Camaro or his ’65 Mustang. He competed in tractor pulls, and when he was in his 30s, he raced motorcycles on dirt tracks. When Jerry did anything he tried to be the best. He was competitive.

Jerry loved being a Grandpa and handing-down lessons about hunting and fishing. He enjoyed attending their activities, heck, Shirley even got him to attend the Christmas Concert this year. He enjoyed having fun at family gatherings or spending time with friends. His smile was contagious.

Jerry will be dearly missed by his wife, Shirley of Thomson; his son, Jerry Wayne (Lauri) Biederman of Thomson; his daughter, Jeanie (Scott) Sullivan of Estero, Florida; six grandchildren, Melissa (Matt) Gehant, Kendra (Matt) Stuver, Scott (Brooke) Biederman, Joey Sullivan, Josh Sullivan and James Sullivan; six great-grandchildren, Grayson and Wyatt Gehant, Scarlett and Harrison Stuver, and Macie and Millie Biederman; a brother, Lloyd Biederman of Prairie du Chien; and two sisters, Laura Marken of Savanna and Linda Mead of Savanna. He is preceded in death by both parents.