Gerald David Oliver, Sr.

Gerald David Oliver Sr., 83, of Bourbonnais, family man, churchman, business leader, and sports enthusiast went to be with his Lord on June 16, 2016. Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jewel Ann (Britton) Oliver, and four children; Cheryl (Mark) Pollock of Oklahoma City, Gerald (Kathryn) Oliver of Plano, TX, Jonathan Oliver Sr. of Plano, TX, and Lori (Darrell) Lewis of St. Louis, MO. Gerald treasured his 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Like George M. Cohen’s “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” Jerry was born on the Fourth of July, 1932. He was the only child of Forrest and Versia Oliver of Centralia, IL. Soon thereafter, the family relocated to Kankakee, IL, where Gerald attended school. He graduated Kankakee High School in 1950. For college, Jerry enrolled at Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, IL. This began a lifelong love affair with the institution. He later served on the Alumni Board, as well as the Board of Trustees. Jerry maintained a long-standing relationship with the school, its graduates, and faculty. In 1981, he received an honorary doctorate degree from the university. He transferred to Illinois State University and graduated there with a degree in Industrial Arts in 1955. His first job was teaching and coaching basketball in the Mechanicsburg, IL school system. During this time, he began selling insurance to supplement the family income. His high drive and will to succeed brought success and eventually a full time career in insurance ensued. Jerry eventually became head of sales for the Land of Lincoln Life Insurance Company in Springfield, IL. Jerry’s greatest business accomplishment was as the Founder, Chairman, and President of the Roosevelt National Life Insurance Company. Founded in Springfield, IL in 1966, this firm grew to become a publicly traded company with over one half billion of insurance in force. Jerry and Jewel sold their interest in that firm in the early 80’s and relocated to Denver, Colorado. They both adopted the Broncos as their favorite football team, cheering them on to several Super Bowls. Other teams he cheered include the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and whoever was playing the Cubs. To be closer to family, they returned to Illinois in 1998 and settled in Bourbonnais. Active in church work throughout his life, Jerry was dedicated to his Christian faith. He served in a number of volunteer positions including Sunday School Superintendant, District Church School Chairman, Harold of Holiness campaign chair, District Advisory Board and as a member of the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages gifts in his name to the Oliver/Granger Scholarship at Olivet Nazarene University or Hospice of Kankakee Valley. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais. There will also be visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at College Church of the Nazarene, Bourbonnais. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Bourbonnais.

Gerald David Oliver, Sr.

July 4, 1932 - June 16, 2016