Gerald J Schubert

On Saturday, March 26, 2022, Gerald J. Schubert, 78, formerly of Mt. Carroll, Illinois left his earthly home in New Boston, Illinois to go to heaven. He was weary and weak and was ready to go home. He was surrounded by his loving family, and he expressed his love for each one of them and he felt their love for him. He knew his time was near and tried to prepare each of them to carry on without his physical presence. He will forever be with them in their hearts and memories. Per Jerry’s request he will be cremated, and a private military ceremony with burial at the Rock Island National Cemetery, will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place on April 30^th from 2 to 6 PM at the Naaman Diehl Auditorium, 811 S. Clay Street, Mt. Carroll, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Schubert Family for a memorial to be established. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo assisted the family and condolences may be left at speerfuneralhome.com.

Gerald J. Schubert and Barbara Lynn Smith were united in marriage on December 6, 1969, in the Mt. Carroll Church of God, by Rev. David Ellis. Gerald is survived and will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 52 years, his two daughters, Sherryl (David) Charles of Rockford, and Shelley (Raymond) Comeau of Mt. Carroll. Three beautiful and loving granddaughters, Monica (Hector) Aponte, Natalie Comeau, and Mallory (Noah) Moser. Two Great-grandsons, Maverick Moser, and Dominic (DJ) Aponte, and his oldest and dearest friend John Haskins. Jerry cherished spending time with his family and they meant the world to him, and he made many happy memories with them.

Gerald was born on April 29, 1943, to Leroy and Mabel (Brunner) Schubert of Jo Davies County, Pleasant Valley Township, Illinois. He was the youngest of their 6 children and the only one born in the hospital. He attended a rural one room country school before attending public school in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. He enlisted in the United Sates Navy in November 1960 and served 8 years active duty until 1968, and after his Honorable Discharge he also served in the Naval Reserves before transferring to the Air Force Reserves for a short time. He was very proud of his military service. While in the service he witnessed many historical events. He was aboard the USS Lake Champlain in 1961 when they picked up Alan B. Shepard Jr, the first astronaut in space. He was also aboard the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise CVN65 during Cuban Missile Crisis. He had many other memories of his military service he shared with his family.

While in the Military his love for music grew. Music became a very big part of his life. While on active shore duty for 4 years in Key West, Florida, he played at the Fleet Reserve as the house band two nights a week. After discharge from the Navy he played in bands mostly in the Carroll, JoDavies, Stephenson and Whiteside Counties areas of Illinois along with Clubs in the Clinton, Iowa area. He even had the privilege of recording a couple of vinyl records in Nashville, TN.

Jerry retired as Carmen Welder from the Railroad having worked for the Chicago Northwestern in Clinton, Iowa until it was sold, then he went to work for the CP Railroad, in Muscatine, Iowa continuing to work for the Montana I & M Rail Link when they purchased the line. After the I & M rail link sold the railroad to the IC & E Railroad, Jerry worked for them in Muscatine and the Nahant Yard in Davenport, until his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Gerald J. Schubert, Jr. , two brothers, Leroy and Wayne Schubert and 3 sisters, Maxine Labar, LaVonne Rockow, and Gayle Yenney.