Gerald John Regis

Gerald John Regis, age 83 of Plainfield, IL passed away at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet on June 14, 2026 after a long and arduous journey with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Joliet, IL to his father John Regis and his mother Catherine Regis (née Judge) on September 11, 1942.

Jerry was raised and educated in Joliet, IL where he graduated from Joliet Central High School as a member of the Class of 1961. Not long after, he met and fell in love with Sylvia L. Regis (née Scroggins) and the two were married on August 24th of 1963. Jerry worked at the Joliet Arsenal Ammunition Plant before joining Caterpillar Inc. as a tool and die machinist. He eventually retired from Caterpillar after 35 years of employment. He was a longtime member of the Joliet Moose Lodge, which he joined in 1979. Jerry was a classic and antique car enthusiast who enjoyed spending his free time attending car shows with his 1930 Model A Coupe, which he painstakingly restored himself. Jerry and Sylvia survived the Plainfield tornado of 1990 which demolished their home and left Jerry lying in his yard surrounded by the remnants of their home and personal property. In 2023, the pair suffered through the loss of their son William Regis who passed away unexpectedly. Jerry experienced many joys and many hardships throughout his life. He enjoyed sharing the stories of his experiences with friends and family, and everyone always paid great attention to his tales as he told them with such emotion and expression. His family feels this loss deeply, and will honor his memory always.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Kate; his son William B. Regis, his brother John B. Regis, and his father and mother-in-law William and Vivian Scroggins.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Sylvia L. Regis (née Scroggins); his son Mark G. (Marianne) Regis; brothers Thomas Regis and Michael (Dodie) Regis; sisters-in-law Patricia (the late John) Regis and Susan (Michael) Grobe; as well as several nieces and nephews, extended family members, friends, and other loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that any donations offered in Gerald’s name be directed to either Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness care at https://lightways.org/make-a-donation/ or to the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org/ .

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Friday June 19, 2026 from 9:30 am until a Chapel Service at 1:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. Immediately following our Chapel Service, we will travel in procession to Woodlawn Memorial Park, 23060 W. Jefferson Joliet, IL for a Chapel Committal Service prior to entombment in the mausoleum.