Geraldine L. "Jerri" (Peterson) Meade

OTTAWA – Geraldine L. “Jerri” Meade, age 91, of Ottawa, passed away 8:00 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2014 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center following a short illness.

Funeral services honoring her life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with the Reverend Charles Maney of the Spring Valley United Church of Christ officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Kim Holloway, Amy Stevenson, Leigh Ann Tedford, Tyler Hagenbuch, Travis Hagenbuch, Tahnee Hagenbuch, and Cullen Meade.

Jerri was born May 20, 1922 at Morris, Illinois, a daughter of Timothy and Ruth (Dean) Peterson.  She married Milan Meade at Ottawa in 1948.  He preceded her in death in March of 1985.  Jerri is survived by her children, Larry (Jackie) Stevenson of Cape Coral, Florida, Cyndi (Dave) Hagenbuch of Ottawa, and Mark (Margaret) Meade of Ridgeway, Wisconsin.  She also leaves grandchildren, Kim (Jeff) Holloway of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Amy Stevenson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Leigh Ann Tedford of Lowell, Arkansas, Tyler Hagenbuch of Washington, D.C., Travis Hagenbuch of Los Angeles, California, Tahnee Hagenbuch of Fairview Heights, Illinois and Cullen Meade of Phoenix, Arizona; and her great-grandchildren, Tucker and Alaska Holloway, and Jackson and Tracy Tedford.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Harold Peterson and a sister, Dorothy Hermann.

Geraldine was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Ottawa.  She had been employed as a dental assistant at the office of Dr. Otto Lynn Miller.  Jerri belonged to various Bridge Clubs.  She enjoyed playing golf and tennis until she was well into her 80’s.  Jerri LOVED to dance and eagerly looked forward to watching Dancing with the Stars each week.  She was also an avid Bulls fan.  Jerri had a particular affection for animals, especially dogs.  She was known since childhood to bring home stray dogs and find loving homes for them.  Jerri’s most valued time was that spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to Pet Project or to a charity of the donor’s choice.