Jerry D. Briggs, 71, of Rochester, IL passed away at home surrounded by his three daughters on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Jerry was born in Carlinville, IL on May 5th, 1953 the son of Ronald and Helen (Stevens) Briggs. The family moved to Springfield when Jerry was young and he remained in the Springfield area the rest of his life. He met Sondra LeSeure and the two of them were married on July 17th, 1971 in Springfield. When Jerry was a young man, he helped his father manage the original Briggs Apple Orchard in Springfield. Jerry began his career in produce with National Foods and ended his career with Schnucks Market, always perfecting and taking pride in his famous "produce wall." Later in life, Jerry would go on to start Briggs Apple Orchard in Rochester with his wife, Sondra.

Jerry and Sondra had four children and raised the family in Springfield. He was passionate about fishing, his apple orchard, and Christmas.

During the Christmas season, Jerry would embody "Clark Griswold" when it came to the holiday spirit and decorating the live Christmas tree, which he aimed to make even bigger than the previous years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sondra in 2010. Jerry was also preceded in death by his father and grandson, Caleb Kuhlmann.

Jerry is survived by his mother, Helen Briggs; children, Stacy (Chris) Kuhlmann of Chatham, Jill Olson of Chatham, Erin (Mark) Clemens of Rochester, and Jerrod Briggs of Denver, CO; ten grandchildren, Abby H., Kylie (Tyler), Travis, Bailey, Abby C., Rylee, Mitchell, Keely, Preston, and Mya; siblings, Gail Churchill of Springfield, Lynette Rhodes of Springfield, and Jill Brillhart (companion, Scott) of Springfield.

Visitation will be held at Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 East Main St. Rochester, IL 62563 on Wednesday November 13th, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will follow on Thursday the 14th at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org/) in the name of Lung Cancer.