Gerald "Jerry" Bires

Jerry Bires loved watching NASCAR races, chocolate raisins, Cheez-It crackers, and working in his yard. Most of all, however, he loved his family. Family was always the first priority in Jerry’s life and, perhaps as a result, he was lucky enough to have a large and loving family, including many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

Jerry came into the world on February 3, 1940. His proud mother was Mary Bires, and the family lived in Kankakee, Illinois. Although his childhood was spent in Kankakee, Jerry moved to St. Anne, Illinois when it came time for him to set out on his own. He found a job as a supervisor at Quaker Oats, a position he held for many years. In terms of family life, Jerry fell in love with and married a young woman named Shirley. Jerry and Shirley were blessed by the births of five children: Bonnie, Brenda, Brent, Bruce and Beverly. The Bires family were Catholics, and attended services at St. Anne Catholic Church.

After Jerry’s retirement from Quaker Oats, he loved nothing more than to spend time with his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed going to their ball games, and had a standing tradition of treating them to Dairy Queen if they hit a home run. The grandchildren also have happy memories of “Wienie Wednesdays” spent at Jaenicke’s hot dog stand. Jerry liked to motivate his grandchildren to do their best by giving them small monetary incentives. For example, one day he promised to give his granddaughter 25 cents per flip on the trampoline (she earned $7.00). Sometimes this backfired on him, however – one time, he agreed to pay his grandson $2 per mile in the St. Jude Bike-a-thon. Much to his dismay, his grandson ended up riding 62 miles!

Even as a young man, Jerry enjoyed spending time outdoors, and his retirement only gave him more opportunities pursue his hobbies. Fishing was always a favorite, and he went on many fishing trips to Canada. Known as “Mr. Maintenance,” he also liked working on projects around the house and in the yard. One of his more common projects was building birdhouses for his own yard and to give to others. The grandchildren often “helped” him by pounding nails into his workbench while he worked on the birdhouses. Today, the abundantly scarred workbench remains a testament to the many happy hours spent with his family.

Jerry’s wife Shirley died on February 8, 2010, bringing their loving marriage of many years to a close. In the last year of his life, Jerry continued to spend lots of time with his family members – he was never happier than when just hanging out at home with his family.

Jerry Bires was a kind and loving man, dedicated to his family and always willing to help out a friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Gerald “J. B.” Bires died on February 6, 2012, at Riverside Medical Center of Kankakee, IL, at the age of 72. Jerry is survived by his children, Bonnie (Joe) DeYoung of St. Anne, Brenda (Freddie) Pitts of St. Anne, Brent (Arlene) Bires of Vienna, IL., Bruce Bires of St. Anne, and Beverly (Andy) Flowers of Bourbonnais, IL.; a brother-in-law, Earl Elliott of Westland, MI.; a sister-in-law, Hazel Prince of Bourbonnais, IL.; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; several cousins; and special people in his life: Aunt Bernice, Ed Sovinski, John White, and George Smith. He was preceded in death by his mother; his wife, Shirley; and a granddaughter, Courtney Bires.

A time of gathering will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2012, from 4-8 p.m. at Schreffler Life Story Funeral Homes Kankakee Chapel, as well as from 10 a.m. until the time of mass at 11 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church in St. Anne, IL. Interment will be held at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais, IL.

Please visit Jerry’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life and sign the online guestbook. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Leukemia Research Foundation would be appreciated.