Germain "Jerry" Pins

Germain "Jerry" Pins, age 87, of Asbury passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Mass of Christian burial for Jerry was held Saturday, September 23 at Church of the Resurrection in Dubuque. Rev. Donald Bakewell, Jerry's brother-in-law, was the celebrant of the mass with Rev. Joseph Hauer as co-celebrant. Burial was held at Resurrection Cemetery in Asbury with full military honors afforded by the Dubuque American Legion Post #6.

Jerry was born July 9, 1930 in Farley, son of Emil and Kathryn (Miller) Pins.  He was a 1948 graduate of St. Clement High School in Bankston. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 and graduated in 1959 from Indiana Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was united in marriage to Eileen Bakewell June 7, 1958 at St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon.

Jerry was employed by Thermolyne Corporation in Dubuque for eight years and Arvin Industries in Columbus, IN for four years.  In 1972, he bought Ferguson Industries, a metal fabrication plant in North Aurora, IL. In 1975, he moved the business to St. Charles, IL and changed the name to GPI Industries, Inc. He owned and operated the business until he retired in 1991. In 1992, Jerry and Eileen moved to the Galena Territory, Galena, IL, and in 2003, they moved back to Dubuque.

He was a lifetime member of the Farley American Legion Post #656 and was an Honor Flight recipient in 2011. He is a past member of the St. Charles, IL Chamber of Commerce, serving as treasurer and member of the Board of Directors for two years. He was past president and member of the St. Peter’s Parish council, Geneva, IL.  He was also a Eucharistic Minister, lector and usher for various parishes.

In his younger years, he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball with Bankston High School and semi-pro teams. He also played in the men’s softball league in Dubuque.

Jerry had a deep love for the Lord, and his faith was evident in his actions. He was a selfless man who took great joy in spending time with his family and grandchildren and enjoyed watching his daughters and grandchildren in their various sports and activities. He loved to watch (sleep through) the Cubs on TV, was an avid reader, enjoyed golf and bowling, his Euchre games with friends and family, and Fox News.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Eileen; and his five daughters; Laura (Rick) Droeske of Cuba City, WI, Lisa (Steve) Verdon of Davenport, Diane (Daniel) Sturgill of Fort Smith, AR, Denise (Jeff) Geraci of Katy, TX and Linda Cerjak of Cuba City, WI. They have 16 grandchildren: Megan (Mat) Masters, Matthew (Monica) Droeske, Mark and Mitch Droeske, Kyle and Bryan Verdon, Kathryn and Private Joseph Sturgill (U.S. Army), Jacob, Maya and Layla Geraci, Theresa (Aaron) Dressler, and Ashlee, Mike, Tim and Anne Cerjak. They also have two great-grandsons, Maxton Masters and Waylon Droeske.

Also surviving him are his two sisters, Mary Jane  Kluesner of Dyersville and Ann Johnson of Sherrill; his brothers, Ambrose (Duanne) Pins of Epworth and Clement (Betty) Pins of Epworth; two brothers-in-law, Rev. Donald Bakewell and Norb (Sue) Bakewell of Dubuque; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Loewen of Dubuque; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Sylvester; his brother, Eugene, in infancy; his sisters-in-law, Rosemary Pins and Sr. M. Genette Bakewell PBVM; his brothers-in-law, Francis Kluesner, Merlin Johnson and Albert Loewen; and a nephew, Keith Bakewell.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made to the Dubuque County Veterans Affairs and Hospice of Dubuque. The family would like to extend a huge thank you to Hospice and to Dad’s special “girls”, Molly, Kathy, Megan and Summer, for all their loving care.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com.