Gerald E. Spong

Gerald E. Spong, 89, of Rockford passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at Presence Cor Mariae. Preceding him in death is his wife of 50 years, Patricia Ann Spong, his brother Donald Spong of Naperville, Illinois, and his parents Frank and Alice Spong of Minneapolis. Jerry is survived by his three children, Gail (Bruce) Spong Jaroski of Lombard, Doug (Jill) Spong of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Keith (Kelly) Spong of St. Charles; three grandchildren, Christopher Spong of Minneapolis, Erin Spong of Columbia, Missouri, and Mike Jaroski of Chicago; and brother, Bob (Jean) Spong of New Brighton, Minnesota.
Born June 22, 1925, in Sargeant, Minnesota, Jerry graduated in 1943 from Central High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II from 1944 -1946. Following his return, he graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, with a bachelor's degree in 1950. He then joined Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, where he earned his certified life underwriters (CLU) certification. He retired from MetLife in 1980 after 30 years in sales, training and district management.
Jerry was a 45-year member of Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford. His passions included golf, fishing and following the Chicago Bulls and Bears. He loved spending weeks at the Spong family cabin on Lake Koronis in Paynesville, Minnesota.
The memorial service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2014, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 So. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108, with Pastor Scott Himel officiating. Visitation will start at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Christ United
Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois 61107 or Koronis Ministries, 15752 County Road 181, Paynesville, Minnesota 56362. Inurnment in Scandinavian Cemetery at a later date. To share online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.