By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
9 Comments
  • Visitation

    Friday, June 18, 2021

    4:00 to 8:00 pm, and

    Saturday, June 19, 2021

    8:00 to 9:30 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Saturday, June 19, 2021

    10:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Jerry T. Reidelberger, 74, of Highland, IL, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at home, surrounded by his family.

    Jerry was born on February 21, 1947 to Joseph and Veronica (nee Rehkemper) Reidelberger, in Highland, IL. On September 4, 1971, he married Jeanne Draper at St Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL; a marriage lasting almost 50 years.

    Jerry was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.  He worked as a welder for Truck Centers in Troy, IL for 35 years.

    Jerry always thought family should come first, after experiencing the loss of his dad at the age of 11. As the oldest in his family, he filled his father’s roles and responsibility, assisting with raising his siblings.  A true family man, he adored his son and daughter, and was a father figure to his granddaughter, Nicole. Raising his family was the most important thing to him.  Jerry never knew a stranger, and always enjoyed meeting and talking with people from all walks of life.  He would do anything he could for anybody he could, a man of all trades.  He loved baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals, and enjoyed his travels to Branson and Hawaii.

    Jerry was a member of the Highland Speedway Family; being a welder on stock cars for over 42 years.  His love of stock cars, and the sport, earned Jeanne the title of a “Stock Car Widow”.  Even their family vacations worked around racing weekends.  Jerry will be missed by all who knew him.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Veronica Reidelberger; daughter, Janelle Schmidt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Morris and Delores Draper; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Al Draper, Terry Draper, Josie Ford and Judy “Kady” Mueller.

    He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Reidelberger, Highland, IL; son, Joe (Jennifer) Reidelberger, St. Peters, MO.; grandchildren, Nicole Schmidt, Mariah, Logan and Kayden Reidelberger; brothers, Larry (Phyllis) Reidelberger, Joe “Bud” (Diane) Reidelberger, Bob (Janelle) Reidelberger; sister, Pat (Ray) Korte; brothers-in-law, Tom (Shelly) Draper, Steve (Karla) Draper; sister-in-law, Julie (Herb) Markus ; several nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made to the family.

    Visitation: Friday, June 18, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturday, June 19, 2021, from 8:00 to 9:30 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, June 19, 2021, 10:00 am, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Fr. Piotr Kosk, Parochial Vicar, St. Paul Church, Highland, IL.

    Interment: St Joseph Cemetery, Highland, IL.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

9 Condolences
 
  1. fireball / June 16, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    Always in a upbeat mood-we would see each other at the races and at Jocobers—I always looked forward to talking racing with him–he will be missed–REST IN PEACE

  2. Mary beth Broughton / June 16, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    Very sorry for your loss thoughts prayers love hugs coming to the family

  3. Betty Meddows Hopkins / June 16, 2021 at 9:50 pm

    My sincere condolences to the family.

  4. Jean gilomen / June 16, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    Sorry for your loss Jeanie and Nicole. Thoughts and prayers for you and family. If there is anything you need let me know.

  5. Alan Mollet / June 16, 2021 at 11:29 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the Reidelberger family tonight. If you lived in or around Highland and had an appreciation of cars or racing, you knew of this family and know what great people they are. Rest In Peace Jerry!

  6. Terry K Marks / June 17, 2021 at 8:02 am

    Jerry was such a great guy who would do anything for you.
    So sorry for you loss Jeanne and Joey and the family.
    Take care

  7. Kay Toennies / June 17, 2021 at 3:57 pm

    Thinking of you Jeanne and your family. Prayers to get you through this difficult time. So sorry for your loss.

  8. Sharon (Kula) Hawk / June 19, 2021 at 6:12 am

    Jerry was one if rhe nicest classmates at St Paul High. I have not seen him since school. I always thought of him as a very good and nice classmate. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of his dad at such a young age. No one knew of the responsibility he probably carried. God bless him and his family. You now have an angel looking out after all of you. My prayers are with all of you 🙏 ❤

  9. MATT HAAR / June 20, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    So sorry to hear this. Many fond memories of him when Joe and I were outside playing in the yard or exploring the creek by the house

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