Jerry Lee Kubatzke Sr.

Jerry Lee Kubatzke Sr., 72, of Freeport, died Sunday, January 29, 2017 in his home. Jerry was born May 6, 1944 in Freeport, the son of Chris and Inez (Johnson) Kubatzke Sr. He was a 1962 graduate of Freeport High School. Jerry was a U.S. Army veteran serving for two years including a term in Vietnam. Upon returning home, he owned and operated Jerry Kubatzke Trucking. He was with Think Snow Removal for 23 years. Jerry was affiliated with Faith United Methodist Church. He was a member of Freeport Rural Fire Department for 43 years, where he was the 1st Assistant Chief. He was a 48 year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, President of Illinois Pet & Game Breeder's Society. He loved farming with his two best friends, Jerry Kubatzke Jr. and Jerry Kubatzke III. He took pride in his quick response to emergency calls. He was an E.M.T. - E.M.T.I. for 20 years, Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor for the Stephenson County Fair Grounds. Jerry always knew what was going on at the Fairgrounds and people loved him because he would help anyone. Surviving are his daughters, Tammy Kubatzke (fianc, Tim McElfresh) and Cindy (Ricardo Santa Cruz) Kubatzke; son, Jerry Kubatzke Jr. (fianc, Katie); grandchildren, Adam, Emmy, and Abby Kubatzke, Nakita Sturtevant, Brianna and Jared Kubatzke, and J.T. & Rachel Kubatzke; great-grandchildren, Haiden, Tristen, Gabriella, London, Elliana, and Bradley to arrive in the spring; brothers, Chris (Charlene) Kubatzke Jr., Don (Lou) Kubatzke, and Bob Kubatzke; and sisters, Judi (Norm) Jansen, Linda Deets, and Phylis Lower. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother-in-law, Chuck Lower; sister-in-law, Pat Kubatzke. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday February 3, 2017 at Faith United Methodist Church. Rev. John Wesley Lee will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his memory. Please sign Jerry's guestbook and share a story at www.burketubbs.com.