Gerardo Vieitez

GERARDO (Gerry) VIEITEZ died peacefully at home in Gardner, IL on February 19, 2018. Gerry was born in Soutelo de Montes, Spain, on August 6, 1932, to Manuel Vieitez Vasquez and Elvira Firvida Gonzalez. He came to the United States when he was 16 years old and started working at U.S. Steel until he was drafted to the Korean Conflict. He returned to U.S. Steel after his service and retired from the Galvanize Department as a Supervisor in 1991. Gerry married Betty June (Jongsma) on October 14, 1955. They had 4 children.  Gerry was a self-taught handyman who could fix anything and he passed that skill on to his sons. He spent many hours fixing cars for family and friends. He had a brilliant, classically-trained tenor voice and entertained people for many years with his talent.

Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Elvira, his brothers Francisco and Manuel and sister, Veneranda, his wife, Betty and his son Michael.

He is survived by his daughter, Nina (Vic) Claxton of Athens, AL, and sons Gerry (Kathy) Vieitez of Portage, IN and David (Doreen) Vieitez of Gardner, IL. , sister-in-law Diane Terpstra, widow of William of Whiting, IN. Grandchildren, John Claxton and Laura (Wes) Oliver and great-grandchildren Annalise Hope Claxton, Raley Anne Oliver and Corban Wayne Oliver   He also has many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Gerardo will take place at 12:00 pm Friday, February 23, 2018 at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart. He will be laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville. Visitation will be held Friday, from 11:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home.

In Lieu of flowers memorial gifts are preferred to www.honorflightchicago.org .