Jerome R. Ahlfield, 101 and a long time resident of Olney, passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2017 at Helia Health Care in Olney.

He was born on December 23, 1915 in West Salem, IL, the son of Edwin Henry and Harriet Dorothy (Knakmuhs) Ahlfield.

He married Mary Ann (Jackson) on June 25, 1933. She preceded him in death on July 17, 1991.

Jerome was twice elected master of the Masonic Lodge of Olney, IL. He lived by the principals of FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY. His great love was for his extended family. Family was always welcome at his home whether invited or to just show up and many did and were always made to feel at home. Even in some very tough times there were beds on the couch or the floor, regardless of the numbers present. If food was in short supply, it was always shared.

Jerome was a very hard worker. He worked many years as a driller and roughneck in the oilfield. When there were no jobs in Olney, he would go to where the jobs were; Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and maybe others. After working a full shift he would pick and pedal fruit or buy and sell fruit to better provide for his family. Jerome was one of the first workers employed upon arrival of the AMF Plant in Olney. Even after retirement, as long as his health would permit, he continued with picking and pedaling fruit and repairing bicycles and fishing equipment.

Jerome loved fishing and helping beginners learn to fish. In his own hand writing, he left his final prayer, “I pray that I may live to fish until my dying day and with it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray, when in the Lords great landing net and peacefully asleep, that in his mercy I be judged, "BIG ENOUGH TO KEEP”.

Jerome is survived by three brothers, Enoch Ahlfield of Mason City, IL., James Ahlfield of Olney, IL., and Herman Ahlfield of Pana, IL; two sisters, Lura Briggs of Olney, IL., and Laura Spray of Fairfield, IL; son, Lee William of Lawton, OK; son, John Robert of Columbus, GA; daughter, Della (Edward) King of Dundas, IL; son-in-law, Morris Colwell of Newton, IL; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; five brothers, Henry, Charles, George, Carl, and Pete; and three sisters, Minnie, Imogene, and Dora.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at the Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney, with a visitation beginning two hours prior. Burial will follow at the Maple Dale Cemetery.

The Olney Daily Mail, September 5, 2017