Gerald “Jerry” Ray Hand, 84, of Woodlawn, Illinois, passed away at 7:25 pm February 2, 2025, at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He was born January 23, 194,1 in Gary, Indiana to the late Edgar and Eliza (Slagle) Hand. Jerry married Mary Jane (Gilliam) Hand on April 16, 196,0 in Griffith, Indiana.
In addition to his beloved wife, Jerry is survived by his children, Michael Lee Hand and wife, Shelby of Prescott, Arizona, and Leslie Ellison and Matt Atchison of Woodlawn, Illinois; grandchildren, Stephen Hand and wife, Lindsay of Monument, Colorado, Michael Lee Hand, Jr. of San Diego, California, Jennifer Goodteacher and husband, Aaron of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Michael Lee Ellison, Jr. of Los Angeles, California, Samantha Latham and husband, Trever of Phoenix, Arizona, David Hand of Portland Oregon, and Holly Hand of Prescott, Arizona; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his son, David Ray Hand; brother, Edgar Lee Hand; and sister, Velda Meade.
Jerry proudly served his country in the United States Navy for thirty years until retirement. He loved to ride Harley Davidson motorcycles and attended Logan Street Baptist Church.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 7, 2025, at 4:30 pm at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Jerry’s honor to Logan Street Baptist Church Building Fund.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
