Gerald A. Schrom

Gerald A. Schrom Sr., 86 of Rockford died at 11:15 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2008 in his home after a brief battle with cancer. Born February 5, 1922 in Rockford, the son of Arthur and Anna (Peterson) Schrom. Gerald married Arlene Fitzgerald in Rockford on July 31, 1943. She predeceased him on January 29, 2005. Gerald was co-owner of Schroms Cafa© until 1962. He then worked at Ingersoll Milling Machine Company until his retirement. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army Air Corp as 2nd Lieutenant from 1943- 1946. After graduating from OCS he was stationed in the Pacific. Gerald was a graduate of St. James Grade School, St. Thomas High School (1939) and attended the University of Notre Dame and Marquette University before being drafted into the Army.   Gerald was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Moose Club, Third Degree Member of Bishop Muldoon Knights of Columbus, Muldoon Council No.470 and a Fourth Degree member of General Council Assembly No.190.   Survivors include his five children; daughter Jan (Ken ) Kloweit, granddaughter Kim (Jerry) Hoiness, great-granddaughter Madison of Rockford, granddaughter Kelly (Fiance Scott Trammell) of Phoenix, AZ. Son Richard (Peg) Schrom, grandson Andrew (Rosette) Schrom, great-grandchildren Jessica and AJ, grandson Michael Schrom all of Rockford. Daughter Nancy (Bill) Trevey, grandson Mick (Kate) Trevey of Milwaukee, granddaughter Martha Trevey of Chicago. Son Jerry (Deb) Schrom, granddaughter Lindsey (Tim) Szilveszter of Dunlap, IL and grandson Jack Schrom of Rockford. Son Robert (Laura) Schrom and grandsons Danny and Brad Schrom all of Rockford. Brother Wayne (Sally) Schrom and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Special caregiver and friend Vera who Jerry considered to be a third daughter. He was predeceased by his parents and wife Arlene.   Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2008 in St. James Catholic Church with the Rev. Dean E. Russell officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., and from 9 a.m. until time off Mass Friday in the church. Interment will follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to St. James Catholic Church, 428 N. 2nd St., Rockford, IL 61107. To