Longtime Wheaton resident, Geraldine P. Cummins died Thursday, February 19 surrounded by her loving family. Geraldine (Jerry) was born August 7, 1925, the third of three daughters, to George and Lura (Watson) Phillips in Gary, West
Virginia. She was raised in Bluefield, West Virginia until age 13 when her family
moved to Washington, D.C. There she worked for the Department of agriculture until she met Charles Cummins, an Air Force fighter pilot who was in Washington on leave. After returning to his base in England, he named his P-51 Mustang the "Geraldine". They were married in 1944 while he was on a two week leave. Between the Air force and his joining Sears Roebuck after the war, they moved frequently until he was transferred to Wheaton in 1956. They liked the area and decided to stay and raise their family.
While her children were young, Jerry volunteered as a Brownie leader and was a volunteer at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. She was a member of the University of Illinois Homemakers Extension group and later joined the Wheaton Park District Art Associates.
After her children grew up, Jerry was always on the go. She was an avid golfer and a longtime member of the Arrowhead Birdies. When she was not golfing she enjoyed bowling, walking, fishing, traveling with her husband and spending time with her family and friends. Jerry especially loved dancing and was a member of the Wheaton Park District Snappy Tappers. Her family enjoyed her many recitals. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton.
Mrs. Cummins in survived by her daughters, Susan (Charles) Balsiger and Jane (Robert) Neisendorf, along with grandchildren, David, Daniel and Jeffrey Balsiger and Katherine and Rachel Neisendorf and great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Andrew and Blake Balsiger and one sister Marie Deibler. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, one son, Ned Cummins, her parents and her sister, Doris Tobin.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be held privately.
Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.
Information and guest book is available at hultgrenfh.com or call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.