Jerry W. Petrone

JANESVILLE - Jerry William Petrone, 75, of Janesville, WI passed away on November 29, 2018 in Rockford, IL after a year long battle with his health. Born December 4, 1942 in Chicago, IL to Jerry S. and Clara (DiVito) Petrone, Jerry grew up in Chicago with his sister, Corinne (Petrone) Rohr. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a Rifleman from 1961 to 1965. He attained the rank of Seargent, received an award in Marksmanship and completed 23-1/2 months foreign service before being honorably discharged. After leaving the military, Jerry served his community as a Chicago Police Officer for 19 years including as a mounted policeman with his horse, Mighty Mouse. Injured in the line of duty, he medically retired and moved his family to WI. Most recently, Jerry worked in sales for an auto dealership and previously ran a travel agency and a tavern. His hobbies included horses, art, travel, model trains, fixing up cars, playing the drums, dressing up as Santa Claus, helping others, participating with the Knights of Columbus, and was known as a great dancer. A penchant for story telling, Jerry always liked to make people laugh. Jerry is survived by the love of his life, Diane Roeker, his children Gerard Petrone, Gina Petrone-Knechtel, John Petrone and Marcia Petrone, his grandson SPC Keith Knechtel, U.S. Army, his sister Corinne (Petrone) Rohr, his nephew Lou Rohr (Mike Dean), niece Chris (Rohr) Kopka, grandniece Emily Kopka, grandnephew Billy Kopka, grandniece Olive Dean Rohr, many lifelong friends and beloved family pets Ozzy, Cruella, Bunny, and Amigo. Jerry was formerly married to Linda I. Cummings of Chicago, IL and Diane Roeker of Delavan, WI. He is predeceased by his parents Jerry and Clara Petrone, brother in law William Rohr, nephew-in-law Jim Kopka and beloved pet Jerry the Cat. Rest easy Marine, we have the watch. Visitation will be held at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home 1010 Wright Rd Janesville, WI (608-741-1713) from 10am-2pm on Saturday December 8th followed by a Service and Military Honors. Refreshments will be available and a Subway lunch will be served from 11am-1pm.