Gerald W. Stein

Gerald "Jerry" Walter Stein, 83, fell asleep in death July 24, 2025 with family by his side.  Jerry was born May 26, 1942 to Walter Stein and Vivian (Farrey) Wecker in Ottawa, IL. Most of Jerry’s school years were in Milton, WI, transferring to Evansville, WI High School and graduating from there in 1960. After graduating, Jerry served in the U.S. Marine Corps from Nov. 1960-Sept. 1964.

Jerry was a man of many hobbies; scuba diving, motorcycles, cooking, animals, and the list goes on. Jerry loved anything having to do with the outdoors. He did not discriminate when it came to feeding the animals, be it a stray cat, opossum, bird, or squirrel, he made sure there was food for all. His love for God’s creation was shown not just in his actions to care for them, but also in his comments at the weekly meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

As a longtime resident of Chicago, Jerry worked with antiques and was owner of Lee’s Sewer Service. Anyone who knew Jerry, however, knew that cooking was the occupation of his heart. He was a chef in award winning restaurants including the Abby Resort in Fontana, WI, as well as the Sears Tower in Chicago. Jerry trusted in the Bible's hope of a resurrection in a Paradise here on earth. It was his strong conviction that his God Jehovah would fulfill this promise for him if he was to fall asleep in death. His friends and family eagerly await to see him again and look forward to having a delicious home cooked meal by the man who so loved to cook for others.

Jerry is survived by his sisters, Phyllis (Harvey) Plucinski, Barbara (Gary) Maske, Peggy (Al) Bonacci and Charlotte (Joel) VandenBerg, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vivian Wecker; stepfather, Clifford Wecker, and sister, Marlene (Don) Jewell.

A special thanks from the family to Heide Phen for her excellent care, Jerry’s “favorite niece” Diane, Inclusa workers Laurie and Beth, Mercy hospice and palliative care nurses Becky and Alyssa, and Marita and Nicole of SSM Health.  Also, the nurses at Mercy Hospital, Kendall and Destiny who made his short stay there as comfortable as possible.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4129 E. Bingham Rd., Janesville, WI 53546 with visitation at 1:30pm and talk at 2:30pm.

Join Zoom Meeting on Saturday August 2nd, 2025 at 2:30pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87437266840?pwd=aDFaWTFtMEw2aVo1eldONE5TTXpKdz09

Meeting ID: 874 3726 6840

Passcode: 004129

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald W. Stein, please visit our floral store.