Frank James Joerger, 86, of Mendota, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 1, 2017 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Mendota with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday with a rosary at 3:15 p.m. at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Frank was born at home in Mendota during a blizzard on March 15, 1931 to Lawrence & Julia (Jones) Joerger. He married Jean Koehler on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1953 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sublette and officiated by Father Lehman.

Frank served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Japan from 1954-1956 working as a Quartermaster. After discharge, he worked at Mendota Farm Supply for 23 years and represented his coworkers as a Union Steward. He was a lifelong farmer, working with his brother Raymond as partners in Joerger Brothers Farms.

Frank was a 1949 graduate of Mendota High School. He was a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus, past member of the Mendota Moose Lodge and Optimist Club and a lifelong member of Holy Cross Church. He was a die hard Notre Dame fan and top salesman of Holy Cross Daily Dollars and Arlington sausage sales for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean; nine children, Mark Joerger of Mendota, William (Pam) Joerger of Romeoville, Jan (Bruce) Full of Mendota, Linda (Michael) Minnick of Mendota, Diana (Steve) Tuftie of Ottawa, Jack (Sharon) Joerger of Peru, Julie (Scott) Zinke of Mendota, Teresa (Tom) Leffelman of Mendota, and Brad (Cheree) Joerger of Palatine; twenty three grandchildren, Autumn and Kyler Joerger and Ciara (Dalton) Little; Stephenie Campanile, Matt (Cortney), Janette, and Andrew Joerger; Abbey Chaon; Alison Wasmer, Adam Minnick, and Laura (Steve) McNally; Susan Tuftie; Joseph and Katie Joerger; Brock (Liz), Logan, Cody and Garet Zinke; Spencer and Tara Leffelman; Javen, Nora, and Leo Joerger; six great-grandchildren, Grace, Cam, Luke, Elle, Greyson, and Jaxon; two sisters, Sr.  Dominic and Sr. Concepta; three brothers, Paul, Raymond (Kathy), and Bill (Gloria).

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Fr. Leo Joerger and Robert Joerger, one sister Dorothy Fane, two daughters in law, Vicki Joerger and Shelly Joerger and two grandchildren, Sarah Joerger and Sean Minnick.

Memorials in Frank's name may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.