Kerry James Hjellum, 68, of Elmwood Park, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer and passed away peacefully at his home in Surprise, AZ with his family by his side on Wednesday, March 9, 2016.
Kerry was born to the late Regina "Jeanne" (Moersch) and Oswald "Ossie" Hjellum on June 14, 1947 in Oak Park Illinois.
Kerry was a resident of Elmwood Park for 55 years where he followed in his father's Fire Fighting footsteps. Kerry received an associates degree in fire science, joined the civil defense unit which his father started and signed on to become a volunteer firefighter in 1969, became a fulltime firefighter in 1971 and worked his way up the ranks to become Chief in 1991 and retired from the Fire Department in October 2003. During his 32 years as a firefighter he belonged to many organizations and received several awards and accommodations and had many great accomplishments. Some of them include; saving lives on and off duty, assisting with the tainted Tylenol cases in the 80's, adding manpower to the department by advancing the paramedic program and added a firefighter to each shift and made a standard for two paramedics on each shift and upgraded from a volunteer system to a paid on call program; a Fire Training instructor who always promoted education. The department also received a new engine and the Public Safety Building was constructed.
In December 2003, Kerry moved to Surprise, Arizona with his wife, three of six children and his oldest grandson where he continued "Kerry's Maintenance", the handyman business he started as a young man washing windows, cleaning gutters, painting and other odd jobs.
Kerry had many accomplishments and accolades during his time as a Firefighter, Handyman, Businessman and family man. Kerry's Maintenance turned in to be a lifelong business and hobby. Kerry was a well respected and a highly sought after handyman in Elmwood Park as well as Surprise and the Sun City communities of Arizona. Kerry officially retired from the business and passed it along to his son Kristopher just weeks before his passing.
Kerry was a very hardworking, loving, caring, supportive, respected, easygoing husband, father, co worker, neighbor and friend who will be deeply and dearly missed by many family members, colleagues, customers, friends, neighbors, associates at Chase, Fry's, Home Depot and all his favorite restaurants he frequented and many others.
Kerry is survived by his dear wife; Linda K (Daugherty), loving Brother; Robert Hjellum and Sister in law; Marianne (Marno) Hjellum. Beautiful children; Kristopher Hjellum (Surprise, AZ), Kelly Hjellum, Son in law Anthony Dazzo Northlake, IL, Kathleen Hjellum (Surprise, AZ), Kimberly Hjellum (Surprise, AZ), Kevin Hjellum (Surprise, AZ) and Kari Hjellum (Northlake, IL) Three adoring grandchildren; Jeremy Hjellum, Jacorey Hjellum and Julia Martucci as well as his dogs Molly, Lucy, Tootsie and Whiskey.
Memorial Visitation at The Elms Funeral Home 7600 W. Grand Ave (North on 76th Ave.,) Elmwood Park, on Friday, April 1, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Service to begin at 5 p.m. For info call 708-453-1234.