Gerald Raymond “Jerry” Seger, 90, passed away on January 22, 2026. A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Galena, IL. Friends may call after 9 AM until the time of mass. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Military honors will be accorded following the mass by Galena VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193. The Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena is assisting the family.

Born in Dubois, Indiana, on January 7, 1936, Jerry grew up in Jasper, IN, with his parents, Edwin and Myrtle Seger, and his three sisters, Nancy, Peg, and Jane. He attended college at Purdue University, where he took a 2-year break after his freshman year to enlist in the Army. After completing his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of Iowa to receive his Master’s in Physical Therapy. It was during his time in Iowa City that he met his future wife, Jan Bussan.

After graduation, he moved to Waterloo to work at the Allen Memorial Hospital. The couple married on August 8, 1964, at St. Mary’s Church in Galena. Jan and Jerry had their first child, Michael, in Waterloo before moving to Freeport, IL, in 1966. At that time, Jerry founded the Freeport Rehabilitation Center and continued running it until he retired more than 30 years later. He and Jan had three more daughters, Cheryl, Diana, and Michelle.

Jerry was a member of the Elks Club and an active participant in the Regal Investment Club. He enjoyed games and could spend hours at the bingo table celebrating holidays in Shullsburg and Benton. Jerry also organized yearly canoe trips with friends, as well as fishing trips in Canada. As a lover of the outdoors, Jerry and his father-in-law purchased acreage near Scales Mound, affectionately known as BS Achers. This became the family’s weekend destination for the next 30 years. Jerry loved being up there – raising horses, clearing fields and paths through the woods, and hosting hunting weekends. He and Jan moved there full-time in 2001. The Farm quickly became a home for all. Family and friends regularly gathered there for holidays, weekend getaways, and monthly poker games. By August 1st, you could find Jerry riding the tractor, mowing the fields. Always quick-witted and ready with a keen observation, he will be sorely missed.

The family is thankful for the loving care and support provided by the staff at Parkview Home, particularly during his final years in Park West.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; four children, Michael (Maryjo) Seger, Cheryl Seger, Diana (Darrin) Witte, and Michelle (Jim) Birkett; nine grandchildren, Adam (Kelsey) Seger, John, Lucy (Jordan), Cole, and Sarah Seger, Drew and Nate Witte, and Ana and Jake Birkett; one great-grandchild, Sophie Seger; sisters, Peg (Ray) Messmer, and Perry Knies; and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Bussan, Judy Bussan, and Liz Murphy and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by Edwin and Myrtle Seger, Nancy and Dud Mehringer, Jane Knies, Pete and LyNette Bussan, Richard Bussan, Terry Bussan, and Bill Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences may be left for the family at  www.furlongfuneralchapel.com