Gerald J Cantu , June 21, 1941 — February 06, 2019

Gerald J. Cantu Weslaco, TX/Wilmington, IL Gerald J. Cantu, 77, passed away after a three year battle with cancer on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at McAllen Medical Center. He was born on June 21, 1941, to John Cantu and Julia Kubos Cantu in Joliet. Gerald spent most of his life in Joliet where he graduated from Joliet Township Highschool.

He joined the US Airforce shortly after high school and served four years. After being honorably discharged, Gerald became a mechanic welder. He worked for Ford Motors a short while, but his career was spent at Com Ed.

He raised his four children in Joliet and retired in 1995. After retirement, he met and married his wife Diane and they were able to enjoy their RV and traveled all over the United States. They began spending winters in Rio Grande Valley in 2002 and settled in Weslaco for the winters in 2004.

Gerald was a collector and his favorite treasurers were scales. He collected over 300 during his lifetime and could weigh just about anything you could think of. He loved to go fishing with his children as they were growing up and throughout his life.

He also became an excellent craftsman during and enjoyed woodworking all of his life. He had the tools to do or fix almost anything, and he did that often. Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia Cantu and his sister Mary Wiegman.

He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Diane, children Christine (Richard) Forkal, Tom (Irma) Cantu, Mary Beth (Tim) Engelman, Gregory (Jennifer) Cantu all of Joliet, stepchildren Tracy (Tenley) Denton Of Channahon, IL, Shirley (Troy) Acree of Louisville, IL, Tina Kilgore of Germany, grandchildren Jon (Darcy), Jacqueline, and Jessica Forkal, Anthony, Reed, Gwendelyn, and Olivia Cantu, step-grandchildren Travis (Ali), Genevive, and Gavin Denton, Keagan, Kae Lynn, and Shane (Jaycie) Acree, Levi and Michael Loving, great grandchildren Beckett, Tucker, Quinn, Leo, Tyler Jane, and brother, John (Vonna) Cantu of Joliet, IL and his two beloved pets, who he adored, labradoodle, Rosie and cat, Sally. A Visitation will be held, Thursday February 28, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home. Inurnment with Military Honors, Friday March 1, 2019 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.

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