Victor P. Jurgelas Obituary (1943 - 2022)

Victor P. Jurgelas, 79, of Heyworth, passed away at 2:41 a.m., Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington surrounded by his family; and is now walking with Diego on the streets of Heaven. His funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bloomington with Rev. Greg Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Memorials may be directed to the Children's Miracle Network, Peoria or Sugar Grove Nature Center, Funks Grove. Victor was born January 1, 1943 in Lithuania, the son of Vincent and Herta Konrad Jurgelas. He married Mary Michaeline Cremeens on November 27, 1965 in Bloomington. She survives. He is also survived by three daughters, Stefanie (Chad) Dixon, Heyworth, Beth (Kevin) McGhee, Mesa, AZ and Vicki (Byron) Stalter, Scottsdale, AZ; four granddaughters, Danielle and Lauren Dixon and Shelby and Sydney Stalter; three great-granddaughters, Silas, Kinsley and Lakyn; a sister, Ruth Dickerson, Downs; a sister-in-law, Judy Jurgelas, Lexington and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, two brothers, Steven and Ernest Jurgelas, his parents-in-law, Chris and Helen Cremeens. Victor graduated from University High School and attended Illinois State University. He worked in the tool-and-die department at General Electric in Bloomington for over forty years, retiring in 2003. Victor worked hard his entire life and was a jack of all trades that could make or fix anything; our very own McGuyver. He was an avid bow hunter, enjoyed golf, but especially loved being with his family. He never knew a stranger and his generosity will live on thru all who knew him. He will be most remembered as an amazing son, brother, uncle and Friend but was proudest of being a husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa of ALL girls. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. Victor's mother Herta and father Vincent met and were married in Lithuania, where he was a shoe cobbler. In the summer of 1940, the Russians occupied Lithuania and took control over all businesses, food, etc. Mr. Jurgelas went to work each morning in his shoe shop but was given very little money for his work, reducing the family to poverty and standing in line for bread, etc. During this time they had two sons, Ernest and Victor. Germany then invaded and took control over Russia and Lithuania. It was during this time in Germany, Ruth was born. Although the family was living in different camps life settled into a routine, with Vincent working for the Germans digging ditches. Then the Americans came and life was much better. They continued to live in the camp and Vincent began fixing shoes again. But, once again the Jurgelas family was dealt a crushing blow. Vincent unexpectedly passed away of heart failure. The heart that had made it thru Russian and German terror and years of hard work had stopped, leaving Herta and the children devastated. They then planned to leave Germany and travel to Australia because they were accepting displaced families. They were packed and ready to go but at the last minute they were told that the boat would not take a woman with small children. Later, however; Herta was told she could choose Canada or America. She chose America and was sponsored by the Lutheran Church of Fairbury. In July 1951 they arrived in Fairbury, where Herta worked at a hospital and did housework. When the family moved to Bloomington, she went to work for a bookbindery and then Beichs candy. But, just as things were calming down, Herta went to the doctor and was told she had heart valve leakage and would have to quit her job, which meant that they became dependent on the generosity and assistance of others. Victor, Ernest and Ruth attended Trinity Lutheran school and then University High School. After high school, Victor held a few jobs, one found him working at St. Joseph hospital as an orderly, where he would meet his wife, Michaeline. After that, Victor sold life insurance for several years and then entered into the tool and die maker apprenticeship, which would be his lifelong career of 40+ years. Victor was one of the hardest working men, overcoming many adversities throughout his younger years. He designed and built the families forever home in Heyworth where they raised their three daughters, Stefanie, Beth and Vicki. He loved attending and watching all his daughters' activities, rarely missing any if at all possible. When he was blessed with four granddaughters, he was just as, if not more active in their activities and was their biggest fan. He was a very passionate hunter, golfer, builder, mechanic, handyman, inventor, cook, taxidermist, artist, spiritual man, and the list goes on. Victor's legacy will live on through the lives of his daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. There will never be anyone that is quite like him and we will always carry his loving memory in our hearts!