Obituary of Geraldine Ida Pavletic

Geraldine “Gerry” Ida Pavletic (nee Hibbard) of Libertyville passed away December 28, 2015. She was born October 10, 1926, in Waukegan, IL. While growing up, she enjoyed spending time at her grandfather’s farm in Gurnee, where she loved the horses on his farm and learned to drive a Model A. Gerry graduated from Holy Child High School in Waukegan. As a child and young adult, she was a singer, actress, and pianist performing in numerous community events in Waukegan and throughout Lake County, but she always knew she wanted to settle down in Lake County and raise a family. Gerry married Merle after he returned from WW II, and they moved to Libertyville to raise their three sons. She went on to be a room mother for Rondout School while being actively involved in organizing school activities for the students and improving the school’s library. She also took part in fundraising for the Libertyville Little League in its early years and belonged to the local garden club. Throughout her nearly 70 years of marriage to her husband Merle, she never missed an opportunity for a good prank, and always had something up her sleeve on April Fool’s Day. Gerry and Merle also had many Westies to shower with attention. In addition, Gerry was a supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, the Salvation Army, and the Wounded Warrior Project. She was the devoted wife of the late Merle Pavletic, loving mother of Frank (Eileen), Michael (Adria), and Jeffrey and proud grandmother of five grandchildren John (Courtney), Thomas, Afton, Maylin, and Tyler Kester (Melissa) and great-granddaughter Kate. She was preceded in death by her parents, June and Frank Hibbard, and her husband, Merle. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2015, at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Place (Rt 176, 1 Block East of Milwaukee Ave) Libertyville. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 121 E Maple Ave, Libertyville on Friday, January 8, 2015, followed by a graveside service at Ascension Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the World Wildlife Fund. Funeral info (847) 362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com