Gerald "Jerry" Buyck

Deacon Gerald "Jerry" Buyck, 77, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, December 31, 2022. He is reunited with his lovely bride, Jo Ann. Jerry was born to Emiel and Earline Buyck March 7, 1945. He graduated from United Township High School in 1963. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Jo Ann Clauw on April 30,1966.

Funeral Mass will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Moline.  Memorial Visitation will be 4:00p.m.–7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd, Moline, with a Rosary at 3:15 p.m. Memorials can be donated to the Alzheimer's Association.

Jerry was a bright light and always had a smile and a joke to share to whomever he encountered. Jerry was a loving, kind-hearted, and generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother in-law, uncle, friend, and servant to the Lord. Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His family has fond memories of family vacations and gatherings. Frank's Pizza, Ice Cream Palace and Adolph's Taco House were favorite family traditions for the Buyck family. Jerry and his wife hosted many pool parties at their 25th Avenue home in East Moline, where many summertime fun memories were made. Jerry's grandchildren were his pride and joy. Memories of morning donut runs, grandma and grandpa's happy morning dance, painting happy rocks are just a few of the many savored memories. Those little things made a powerful imprint. Jerry was beyond proud of his great grandchildren and that his grandson is carrying on the John Deere legacy. Jerry enjoyed traveling to warmer climates to utilize his skills as an accomplished scuba diver. He was also a "professional" joke teller, and a Die-Hard Chicago Bears Superfan. He enjoyed historical/war, James Bond, and Star Wars movies.

Jerry was born in Moline, Illinois. The Quad Cities. He grew up in the East Moline/Silvis/Cottage Grove area. He continued living in East Moline when he married his wife Jo Ann. Through his employment at John Deere, Jerry and Jo Ann raised their two children in Dubuque, Iowa, Hampton, Illinois, Stockton, California, and then returned to East Moline, Illinois for 11 years. Jerry and Jo Ann were relocated to Horicon, where Jerry worked and retired from John Deere Horicon Works in Wisconsin. Still maintaining his avid Chicago Bears Superfan status. After Jerry retired, they moved back to their roots in the Quad Cities.

Jerry was Employed at Montgomery Elevator Company as a Draftsman. Then he was Employed at John Deere from 1967-1997 including Malleable Works, Plow and Planter Works, OMP, JDM and Finally Horicon Works (DTAC). Jerry was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 1996 and served as A Deacon at St. Malachy's Church, Horicon, Wisconsin. Then transferred to Saint Mary’s East Moline Illinois and then to Christ the King Catholic Church in Moline, Illinois. Deacon Jerry did his best to live a Christian life, not in words, but in his actions.  Deacon Jerry participated in Rite of Christian Adults (RCIA) and was involved with Cursillo, Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), Special People Encounter Christ (SPEC) and Christian Family Movement (CFM). Deacon Jerry's famous quote by St. Francis was “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”

Jerry was preceded in death by his Wife Jo Ann (2019); parents, Emiel & Earline Buyck, mother in-law, Shirley Clauw, father in-law, Joseph Clauw and brother-in-law Mike Gant.

Those left to love his memory are his children: Lisa Buyck-Breselow, Horicon WI, and Mark Buyck, Moline, IL. Grandchildren: Marly Buyck, Dylan Buyck, and Ava Buyck-Breselow. Great grandchildren: Praxton and Rylee Jo Morris. Brother Charles (Chuck) and Linda Buyck, Geneseo, IL, Sister, and Brother in-laws: Pat & Jim Versluis, Sandy & Bill Verlinden, Mary Ann (Mike) Gant. Special Lifelong friends: Casey and Janet Ronnebeck. Dear friends Randy & Gail Nelson, and Larry Lange. Along with his many nieces and nephews. And his beloved cat "Lovie" (Yes~ Lovie Smith from the Chicago Bears).