Gerald Lee Traylor, 85, of Bloomington, died 7:02 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, following a brief hospitalization due to a severe stroke. A memorial celebration of Jerry's full and meaningful life will be held this summer. Private family entombment will be in East Lawn Mausoleum, Bloomington. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memoriam may be made to marcfirst, 1606 Hunt Dr., Normal, IL 61761. Jerry was born on July 2, 1926, in Louder, the son of Wesley and Grace Andersen Traylor. He was married in 1951 to his beloved June until her passing in 2003. His survivors include his eight children, Tony (Linda) Traylor of Dahlgren, Terry Traylor of Dunnvilla, Minn., Dianna (Rick) Jones of Mukilteo, Wash., Debby (Doug) Johnson of Downs, Donna (Todd) Rosenberg of North Bend, Wash., Mary (Robert) Leffler of Bloomington, Todd (Suzie) Traylor of Atlanta and Marta June Traylor of Bloomington; his two nephews loved as sons, Bill (Gretchen) Dodd and Bob (Andrea) Dodd, both of Virden; 24 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two of his seven siblings, Pat Ballenger of Girard and Marge Bogart of Virden; and many nieces and nephews. Jerry was an accomplished high school athlete and graduated from Virden High School in 1944. He was extremely proud of his military service in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Jerry began his successful business career at Swift and Company, serving as plant manager in Springfield until 1972. He then became commissary manager and vice president of Steak and Shake in Bloomington until 1983. Jerry truly enjoyed running his own meat brokerage, J & J Meats, until 2000. Jerry was passionate about hunting, his dogs, watching his children's and grandchildren's sporting events, and any and all gatherings of family and friends. Jerry's door was always open and his hand always extended to anyone in need. He will be remembered and cherished as a selfless, humble, generous and loving husband, father and friend to all.