Obituary for Jerry L. Tokars

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Life Story for Jerry L. Tokars

Jerome (Jerry) Tokars, 85, of Oak Lawn, IL, passed away on Easter Morning, 4/16/17. Beloved husband of deceased wife Eileen (Lawler) Tokars, beloved husband of wife Kathryn (Stapleton) Tokars. Loving father of Carey (Tim) Ferrarell, Eileen (Jack) Tumpane, Tim (Julie), Jerry (Amaal) and Annie (Bob) Kolpin. Loving step father to Kevin Kelly, Patsy Kelly, Kay (John) Denton and Robert (Eileen) Kelly. Loving Grandfather and Great Grandfather to many beautiful ones. Lifetime friend to his number one supporter, Don Mavar. Preceding him in death were beloved parents Frank & Wanda Tokars, dear brothers Tom (Dolores) Tokars and David Tokars.

Jerry was a loving husband, father, son, grandfather, coach and friend to many throughout his 85 years of life. Jerry was born in 1932 in the Brighton Park neighborhood and grew up in the St Gall parish around 55th & Kedzie. Jerry attended De La Salle high school, Xavier of Ohio University, Lewis University and Southwest Missouri State University. Jerry returned to De La Salle in 1956 to teach and coach basketball. Jerry was head basketball coach at De LaSalle High School, Richards High School, Leo High School and Moraine Valley Community College. Jerry is a member of both the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame and the Catholic League Hall of Fame.

Jerry and his first wife Eileen raised their family of five in Chicago Ridge, IL. In addition to teaching and coaching, Jerry was very active in his community. He was an active member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Our Lady of the Ridge, helped disabled veterans at the Oak Forest hospital, managed the Chicago Ridge Park district summer programs and managed the Worth pool. Jerry loved to sing at church and did so at various parishes on the southwest side as well as near his summer home in Dowagiac Michigan. A few years after his wife and mother of their children, Eileen, passed away in 1985, Jerry married Kay and they continued to reside on the southwest side. Through his second marriage Jerry and Kay spent time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Amongst the many accomplishments in Jerry’s life he will be remembered most by his family as being a great family man, with overflowing generosity and with a deep faith in God. He helped many people throughout his life and helped shape many young lives.

Visitation Tuesday and Wednesday April 18-19, from 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral Thursday, April 20, 8:30 a.m., from CURLEY FUNERAL HOME, 6116 W. 111th St., Chicago Ridge, to St. Gerald Church, 9310 South 55th Court, Oak Lawn, IL. Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m. Rev. Thomas J. Hurley, officiating. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the family for a scholarship fund to be established in Jerry’s memory, would be greatly appreciated.

Please visit JERRY TOKARS BOOK OF MEMORIES to express your thoughts or share your stories in the online guest book, visit www.chapelc.com or www.facebook.com/centralchapel. Arrangements by CENTRAL CHAPEL, Chicago, Michael W. Tumpane-Funeral Director. Info., 773-581-9000.