Gerald "Jerry" Moon, 80 of Effingham, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023 at HSHS St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Effingham with Monsignor Leo Enlow officiating. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham.  A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart or St. Anthony Schools.

Jerry was born in Effingham on October 31, 1942, the son of Henry and Opal Moon. He was the youngest of 7 children. His siblings Henrietta Backs, Evelyn Flowers, Eileen Dukeman; Bob, Jim, and Charlie Moon, all preceded him in death.

He married Shirley Thoele on September 14, 1963, recently celebrating 60 years of marriage. He would admit openly and often that Shirley was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Jerry was a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He and Shirley were blessed with 3 daughters: Gina (Scott) Rittschof, Jennifer (Ronnie) Niebrugge, and Lynette (Greg) Petre, who in turn gave them the greatest joys of their life, 6 grandchildren: Lexie (Dylan) Boggs, Madison and Brendan Niebrugge, Shea Rittschof, Gwyneth and Eloise Petre, and 2 great-grandsons: Easton and Keaton Boggs.

Jerry was a self-made man who loved to work. He, along with his wife Shirley, built and ran numerous businesses including Moon's Sinclair, Moon's 66 and Wrecker Service, D-J's Ice Co., D-J's Party Supply, K&M Links, Moon's Elk Ranch, Cardinal Golf Effingham and Meadow Woods Country Club.

A well-respected and active member of the community, he was a member of the St. Anthony Booster Club, Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, and Elks Lodge. He was the recipient of the Effingham Citizen of the Year Award and the Eastern Illinois University's BESI Award. It was his honor and privilege to serve on the Board of Directors at Crossroads Bank for over 25 years, eight of which as Chairman. Additionally, Jerry served on St. Anthony Memorial Hospital's Advisory Board. Jerry was instrumental in starting the Southtown Business Association, getting funding for the new County Building, and sponsoring numerous fast-pitch softball teams.

Jerry put everything he had into anything he did and left a memorable mark on all of those he met. When not working, he enjoyed coin collecting, watching Cardinal's baseball, hunting, and gardening, and he was just as passionate about his hobbies as the businesses he ran. He will be deeply missed but greatly remembered.