Obituaries

April 14, 1940 to April 26, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Cushing, 83, passed away Friday April 26, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City.

He was born April 14, 1940 in Rock Island, IL to Margaret Pauline (Seaton) and Leo Edward Cushing. He graduated from Spaulding Institute in 1958. He moved from Peoria, IL to Chicago in 1958 and worked on the railroad for a few years. It was during this time that he met Arlos Marlene Selmer, and they married on Jan. 2, 1965.

Jerry Cushing

He is survived by:
Arlos Cushing,  Medaryville, Wife
Gerald (Ellen) Cushing Jr, Mokena, IL, Son
Brian (Julia) Cushing, Countryside, IL, Son
Christiane (Christopher) Hileman, North Judson, Daughter
10 grandchildren: Jonathon (Ellie), Caroline, Andrew, Anna-Rose, Fiona, Savannah, Gerald III, Sean, Eleanora and Colin.
John Tribbey , Sacramento, CA, Brother-in-law

He was preceded in death by:
Margaret and Leo Cushing, Parents
 Leo Cushing, Brother
 David (Dixie) Cushing, Brother
 Rosanne (John) Poremba, Sister
Marilyn  Tribbey, Sister

Mr. Cushing joined the Chicago Police Department in 1961 and was promoted to sergeant in 1971. He retired in 1995 after proudly serving for 34 years. After his retirement from the force, he served the City of Chicago for another 10 years as a police supervisor at the 911 Center. He never knew a stranger; he was a friend to everyone and loved to strike up a conversation. A devoted husband and father, he was a hard worker and did whatever he needed to provide for his family. He was truly a jack-of-all-trades, working as a semi -truck driver, snowplow driver, fencing and gate fabricator, and owned two businesses: Cushing Carpet Cleaners and J& J Excavating. He also worked for the Sheehy Funeral Home in Chicago. Additionally, he happily farmed alongside his father-in-law and worked diligently with his family to remodel their beloved farmhouse. In his spare time, he also coached both football and softball. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in San Pierre, and the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago. He was also a member of the Police Sergeant’s Association in Chicago, the Knights of Columbus and the Elk’s Club of Chicago.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. (EDT) Friday, May 3, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. (EDT), Saturday, May 4, at All Saints Catholic Church in San Pierre, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Medaryville.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.