Lake Forest Obituary: Jerome 'Jerry' Boutin, 84

The following comes from Wenban Funeral Home.

Jerome “Jerry” W. Boutin, age 84 of Lake Forest, IL, died Thursday, September 18, 2014.

Jerry was born on June 10, 1930 at Alice Home Hospital in Lake Forest, IL, the only son of Wallace and Margaret Boutin and brother to Ruth Walther, nee Boutin.

Jerry grew up in “Codfishtown” (the SE section of Lake Forest near South Park) where he thrived at sports both at St. Mary’s School and later in high school. He graduated from Lake Forest High School class of 1948 and joined the Knights of Columbus that same year. In 1950, his family bought the original Zengeler Cleaners where he began his career in the dry cleaning industry. In December of 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years earning the rank of Staff Sergeant where he was the crew chief for B-36 airplanes, which were part of the Strategic Air Command. After the service he attended and graduated from the Drycleaning Institute in March of 1955. He returned home to work alongside his father in the family business, Boutin Cleaners. Together they built a respected business until his retirement in 1994.

In 1961, Jerry met the love of his life, Sonja Jensen. They married in 1964 and had two children, Gwen and Bob. From 1969 to 1971 he was the Grand Knight of Lake Forest’s Knights of Columbus Council #1268 and in 1972 Jerry became a District Deputy of the K of C and appointed Charities Coordinator. As a Charter member of K of C Wheelers at Downey V.A. Hospital, he assisted in taking patients to and from Sunday mass. Jerry was a life member with 55 years of active service to the 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus. Jerry served as chairman of Cub Scout Pack 46 and for his service to scouting, The National Catholic Committee on Scouting awarded him The St. George Medal in 1980. He was Faithful Navigator of Bishop Quarter Assembly 0197 from 1979 to 1980. Jerry served as the Meeting Coordinator of K of C State Council from 1976 to 2006. He later served as the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 46 of the First Presbyterian Church. Jerry was an active member of several committees of the Northeast Illinois Council BSA and provided his leadership to the Wilderness Engineering Society, also affiliated with the Boy Scouts.

In 1993 Jerry received the State Deputies Medallion from the State of Illinois Knights of Columbus, in 2006 he received the 4th Degree Master Medallion for services rendered and he was a 2007 recipient of the Columbian Booster Award. One of his highest honors was being one of two Lake County residents selected for the Pope’s special honor guard during his visit to Chicago. Jerry was also past commander and a life member of Post 264 American Legion.

In July 2002, Jerry lost his beloved wife Sonja. Survivors include one sister, Ruth (Bernard) Walther and his two children, Gwen (Michael) Johnson and Bob Boutin. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral mass was held on Tuesday, September 23 at the Church of St. Mary, Lake Forest. Interment was at St. Mary Cemetery, Lake Forest. Info – Wenban Funeral Home, 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.

Contributions in his name may be made to Northeast Illinois Boy Scouts, 2745 Skokie Valley Rd., Highland Park, Illinois 60035.