Jerold L. Armstrong, age 88, of Joliet passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Manteno Veterans Home with loving family at his side. Survived by his wife of 68 years Elaine (nee Helvig) Armstrong, his children Theresa (Michael) Lawson, Donna Fedosenko, Helen (Daniel) Frazier, Waver Armstrong, Margaret Cimino and Christine Robinson, 25 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, brother Kenny Armstrong, sister-in-law Helen Lawson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents Jasper and Naomi Armstrong, a son in infancy Waver Armstrong I, brothers Jim Armstrong, Bob Armstrong, and Donny Armstrong (age 2), and sons-in-law Alex Fedosenko and Marcus Cimino.

Jerry was born in Saint Wendell, Indiana. He was born Baptist but at a very early age was drawn to the Catholic faith and attended the local catholic church for Latin mass often getting rides from neighbors. Jerry was a proud veteran serving his country with the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. His wife Elaine also served in the Navy where they met and then married in 1955. Jerry attended Evansville College and transferred to Pacific Lutheran University where he graduated with a BA in Chemistry. Jerry held numerous positions in the chemical industry before becoming founder and CEO of UIC. Jerry was a very successful entrepreneur and went on to build UIC into a multimillion-dollar conglomerate. Later, after much success, Jerry was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Pacific Lutheran University. It is with this business that Jerry was able to travel all over the world logging over 200,000 miles per year, he truly embraced the traveling. Jerry's accomplishments are too numerous to list in this obituary, however, know that he was a brilliant, generous, and talented businessman who was humble to the core, his contributions to countless causes and projects will forever be anonymous, yet most appreciated. Jerry and his wife Elaine were active parishioners of St. Raymond Nonnatus Catholic Church, Joliet, from 1975 to present. They also were the primary caregivers for Elaine's mother for over 20 years, a time they will always cherish. Jerry and Elaine wintered in Marco Island, Fl for over 30 years, a place that they called home for half of the year. Jerry was known to be an excellent storyteller, but an awful joke teller, always laughing at each one. Jerry will be remembered for his generous soul, his strong faith, and his love of family. Jerry wrote his own short biography, and his last sentence was, "I am eternally grateful to my wife Elaine for her patience, perseverance, partnership and understanding, Life has been a great ride."

Visitation for Jerald will be Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 9-11:00 A.M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, Manhattan. Funeral service will be the same morning beginning with prayers at the funeral home at 11:00 A.M. followed by procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Manhattan for 11:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with full military honors will immediately follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Jerold's memory to Wounded Warrior Project by visiting www.supportwoundedwarriorproject.org. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.