Jerry Dean Eident (71) of rural Mason

Jerry Dean Eident, 71, of rural Mason, Ill., completed his baptism and received the fulfillment of God’s promise at UP Medical Center Western Maryland, Cumberland, MD., during a trip with his wife, Jeannie, to visit family.

Services will be held at Mason Christian Church on Saturday, Nov. 23. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the church cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., concurrent with the visitation. A graveside service will take place in Mason Cemetery following the funeral. Donations may be made in his memory to Mason Christian Church and Oil Belt Christian Service Camp. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here

Jerry was born on July 4, 1953, to Charles “Chuck” Eident and Velna “Peggy” Towles Eident in Effingham, IL. He spent his childhood in Mason and Watson, IL., and was educated at the local schools. Jerry graduated from Effingham High School in 1971. He was a lifelong member of Mason Christian Church, Mason, IL., where he served as a deacon, an elder, and a supply preacher.

On Sept. 3, 1977, he married Wanda Jean “Jeannie” Brady at Mason Christian Church. Jerry and Jeannie’s families lived on adjacent properties in rural Watson for many years, so he did marry the girl next door! The couple soon moved to a five-acre plot of land in rural Mason to build a home and raise their family.

Jerry worked for Conrail/CSX as a signal maintainer beginning in 1975. Many years of hard work and long hours took their toll, and he retired in 1999. For the past 24 years, he worked side-by-side with Jeannie in the kitchen at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp in Flora, Ill., where he perfected his fried chicken recipe in addition to his many other culinary accomplishments.

Jerry was somewhat of a renaissance man and enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests. At one time, he was a dedicated ping-pong enthusiast and hosted weekly raucous tournaments in the basement of the family home that would go into the late hours of the night. He was a skilled home cook and baker and was renowned for his cinnamon rolls, thin crust pizzas, and ice creams of all flavors.

He dabbled in woodworking, carving duck decoys and building Shut-the-Box games. After the children left home, he converted a spare bedroom into his study/library, complete with bookshelves he built from barn wood and old church pews and stuffed with antique and first-edition books — many of them books of poetry.

Poetry was a great passion of his, and he self-published three books of original poems. He was also known for sending poems of comfort and encouragement to those in need. One of his poems, “Old Foundations,” is on display at the Effingham County Courthouse Museum. His final Christmas poem, a treasured annual tradition, was completed shortly before his death. He also authored/co-authored three books on local history. Even as a young man, he had a passion for the “old ways” and did what he could to preserve that wisdom. He was a person of deep faith and convictions and lived his life according to those principles.

Jerry is survived by Jeannie, his wife of 47 years; children, Stacey (Jeff) Abell of Burlington, IA, Sam (Kara) Eident of Charleston, and Susan (Jon) Stratton of Bethlehem, PA.; grandchildren, Gus and Wanna Eident of Charleston and Alice, Frank, and Harry Stratton of Bethlehem, PA; siblings, Richard (Joy) Eident of Mattoon, Helen (Dave) Weaver of Altamont, Janet (Ray) Byrd of Marion, N.C., and Barb (Virgil) Brazle of Abingdon, MD., as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In death, he is reunited with his beloved parents; his infant brother, Lawrence; and countless other family members and friends who have gone on before.

Jerry was a tissue donor, and his gift will be used to help many individuals with serious and life-threatening medical conditions.