Gerald "Jerry" Prokuski, 89, of Mendota, passed away at Allure Nursing Home, Mendota on Sunday, April 28, 2024

Visitation will be held at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 6 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mendota with Father Gary Blake and Father Jeff Windy officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota.

Jerry was born on August 27, 1934 in LaSalle, Illinois to Stanley and Loretta (Jagadzinski) Prokuski.

He attended St. Hyacinth's Grade School and LaSalle-Peru High School. He married the former Audrey Strukel on September 25, 1954 in the former St. Roch's Church in LaSalle. He worked at several flower shops as a floral designer. He then pursued a dream of coming to Mendota and starting his own new flower and gift shop in downtown Mendota and naming it Jerry's Flower Barn. He also planned on starting his own family in Mendota. As a community minded man, Jerry served as Past-President of the Mendota Jaycees, Vice-President and President of the Mendota Kiwanis Club which helped in the building of the Mendota Swimming Pool and Mendota Fireman's building. He served several terms on the board of directors of the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce where he chaired the retail committee and was instrumental in forming the Christmas Fest featuring shops around the square as well as starting the summer "Lunch in the Park" with two other retailers.  He was a member of the Mendota Men's Garden Club and helped start the "Garden and Lawn of the Month" summer program. He was very proud of his Polish heritage which he learned at a young age and had been instilled in his life, work and family of which was highlighted by a trip to Poland. Jerry was a lover of church music and the pipe organ instrument and served many years as organist for Holy Cross Church in Mendota. He formed the Holy Cross Gallery Singers and was involved in the purchase of their new Allen Organ.  Being a floral designer, he organized the holiday decorating team at Holy Cross Church.  He then served as choir director and organist for twenty-three years at St. Hyacinth's Church in LaSalle.  Masses at that time were sung by the Festival Choir in English and Polish.  He also formed the Young People's Seasonal Choir which sang for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter seasons. Jerry instituted the St. Hyacinth's Spanish Choir serving as their organist and director. Jerry collected small and large church angel statues, many of which were over 100 years old. At one time, he gave three of the angel statues back to the same church where they were previously displayed. He enjoyed being involved as a leader with the Illinois Valley Cursillo and the Illinois Valley TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) programs. Capturing first place in several nationwide floral design competitions, Jerry was awarded the AFS Great America's Cup and also the FTD America's Cup. In 2012, Jerry was voted into the Illinois State Floral Association's Hall of Fame. He proudly earned his degree of CFD, Certified Floral Designer, from the American Institute of Floral Design. Jerry served as a guest floral design artist at numerous state floral conventions and wholesale floral symposiums in the United States and Canada.  He conducted hands-on classes in floral design to floral artists.

Jerry is survived by his son, Keith (Marie) Prokuski of Streamwood, his daughter, Karen (Scott) Waido of Mendota, grandchildren, Sarah (Craig) Willmert, Selena Waido, Dr. Michael (Dr. Heather) Waido, Christopher Prokuski, step-granddaughter, Katie Leeper, great-granddaughters, Aubrey and Annibelle Willmert, great-grandson, Matthew Scott Waido, sister, Audrey Hearn of Lakeland, FL and brother Eugene (Jane) Prokuski of Wheaton, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, wife Audrey (2022), grandson Matthew Waido (2021) and brother Captain Leon Prokuski.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Sarah Willmert and her husband, Craig Willmert, Selena Waido, Dr. Michael Waido, and Christopher Prokuski. Honorary pallbearer will be his step-granddaughter, Katie Leeper.

Memorial floral tributes will be greatly appreciated.