Jerry Eugene Adair, age 80 of Charleston, entered his Heavenly Home on Friday, February 13, 2015 while at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Jerry was born on November 20, 1934 in Coles County, Illinois, a son of the late E. Floyd and Harriett (Shafer) Adair. He married Lelia Fritz on September 28, 1958 and they have celebrated 56 years of marriage. In addition to Lelia, he is survived by their two daughters, Diana Kraft of Champaign, IL and Mary Ann Waldvogel of Charleston; three grandchildren, Jamie Williams and husband Andrew of Charleston, Jordan Elliott and his special friend Darcy Walker and Brittany Waldvogel and her special friend Josh Grube, all of Champaign; one great-grandchild, Madelyn Williams; two brothers, Jack Adair and his special long time friend, Donna Goble of Charleston and John Adair and wife Carol of Morris, IL; three sisters, Virginia Scruggs and husband David of Mt. Vernon, IL, Joanne Lawyer of Charleston and Nancy Lawson of Sun City, CA; a brother-in-law, Bill Carlyle of Champaign; numerous nieces and nephews; and a truly special long time friend and coffee drinking buddy, Arthur Corbin and wife Judy of Charleston. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by a grandson, Mathew Waldvogel; five sisters, Lorraine (George) Kass, Jean Carlyle, Barbara (Kenneth) Bell, Marian (Simon) Piersma, Esther (Lorie) Watts; 3 brothers including his twin Gerry Adair, Joe Adair and Richard (Luella) Adair; and a brother-in-law, Orville Lawyer.

Jerry faithfully and honorably served his country, serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam eras. He was a member of the Strategic Air Command, and a B-47 Bomber Crew Chief who was stationed in Alaska, Hawaii, Turkey, North Africa, Japan and Germany. Jerry was a 27 year employee of Moore Business Forms in Charleston. Following his retirement from Moore’s he accepted a position with Eastern Illinois University as a groundskeeper, a job he truly enjoyed. Jerry was formerly a member of the Charleston Moose Lodge #1388 and attended First Baptist Church with his family.

Jerry was a rather private and quiet person. Throughout the years he and his family enjoyed camping trips and vacations which were spent visiting various historical sights. He enjoyed listening to bluegrass or Gaither gospel music, and watching the Military History Channel or old westerns on television. He liked to fish, was a skillful chess player, and was pretty good at pitching horseshoes or shooting a game of pool. Jerry was a hard worker and a good provider for his family whom he dearly loved. Many special times shared will be fondly remembered by his wife, his daughters, his grandchildren, his siblings and his friends.
(Adams Funeral Chapel Feb/2015)