Gerald "Jerry" Hastings died peacefully in his home Monday, September 13, 2021. He was born August 21, 1923, to Hap and Hulda (Blaisdell) in his grandparents' home in Martin(town) Wisconsin. Nathaniel Martin was his great-grandfather who built the dam, grist mill and a power plant. Jerry and Ike helped in their folk's General Store and Post Office. Martintown had electricity before Winslow and would dim the lights 5 minutes before turning the power off.

Gerald Hastings joined the United States Army on February 22, 1943 and served until December 31, 1945. He was in the 77 ^th Infantry, where he earned the rank of Sergeant Technical 4 ^th Grade and was also with Combat Engineers Company 132 ^nd . Gerald was in the World War II era where he was stationed over-seas in the Philippines, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and in the Pacific Theatre when Japan surrendered. Gerald and his brother, Ike left for the Army on the SAME day and they both returned together on December 31, 1945. They made it home 4 hours before the New Year's Celebration began.

He married Jacqueline and together they raised a family; When Gerald got out of the Army he worked/owned the "Hastings Radio and TV Shop" at Winslow, Illinois. He says he sold most local people their first black and white television set when they came out in 1951. Then in 1954 the color television came out and everyone wanted one of the color sets. Gerald was also a rural mail carrier for the Winslow and Lena areas and was also a volunteer fireman. Many local kids remember Jerry flooding the spring fed pond and putting up lights for ice skating.

Gerald was active in the American Legion, The Boy Scouts, and Masons and played the banjo at all the nursing homes, with Greg Anderson, Del Heins, Schliem Brothers, and any music jam session he could join. Music was his love. I caught him playing imaginary banjo asleep. Jerry would wish for you to be happy and musical. He is missed and may be rest in peace.

Jerry survived by his daughter Carol Hastings of Winslow, Illinois, sons- Todd Hastings of Winslow, Illinois, Arthur (Joanne) Fowler of Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline, brother Ike, both parents, many uncles, and aunts a nd grandparents, son John McQuerry, son-in-law John Schultz.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.

Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 17, 2021, at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow, IL.

Pastor Doug Carroll will be officiating the service.

Burial will be at Rock Lily Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his memory.