Jerry J. Sarff, 50, of Kewanee, died at 2:12 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 1995, at his home.
He was born Sept. 22, 1935, in Snicarte, the son of Eldo and Elsie M. Lane Sarff. He married Joyce Plate on Aug. 20, 1967, in Astoria. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, John Nicholas Sarff of Kewanee; his mother of Bath; one sister, Mrs. Norman (Nancy) Fletcher of Bath; and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He taught junior high at Central School for Kewanee School District 229 from 1961 to 1994. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1961 and a master’s degree in geography in 1972, both from Western Illinois University in Macomb. He was a life member of the National Education Association and the Illinois Education Association. He also was active in the Kewanee Education Association and had served as a past president. He also was a PTO officer and was a member of the Illinois Geographic Association. He helped found the Kewanee Music Boosters Association and served as co-president.
A member and past president of the Sons of the American Revolution, he had served as president of the Henry-Knox County Chapter and State Board of Managers. He was a member and past president of the Kewanee Lions Club, the National Council for Geographic Education and a three-time recipient of its Merit Teacher award. He served as president of the Kewanee United Fund board and the Kewanee Concert Association Board, both for two terms. He was a member of the Henry County Historical and Genealogical Society and initiated the cemetery indexing for Henry County cemeteries. He served as secretary of the Saxon Cemetery Board. He also was a member of the Mason County Historical and Genealogical Societies.
He served as president of the Central Illinois Antique Dealers Association. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kewanee and served as a lay reader and member of the church vestry.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at his church with Rev. George Pence and Rev. John Throop officiating.
Services will also be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Fairview United Methodist Church in rural Bath with Rev. Donald K. Herrick officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cavanagh & Schueneman Funeral Home in Kewanee. Burial will be in Fairview Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to any charity.
From the Peoria Journal Star.