By Melanie Holmes
One of Manteno’s finest citizens passed from this earthly realm on January 31, 2023. Jerry Jarvis, 86, who served four terms as Manteno mayor, gave so much of himself to this village that it’s hard to separate the man from what we see in town today.
When Jerry was first elected as mayor in 1969, the town’s logo was, “Small Town, Big Future.” Interstate 57 had just opened. The Manteno State Hospital still was going strong. And housing was just beginning to pop up on the east edge of town, east of and along Birch Street.
As Manteno Mental Health Center (state hospital) closed in 1985, Jerry Jarvis again was elected as mayor. The ensuing years saw the build-up of Diversatech, an endeavor that undeniably kept Manteno’s economy from tanking.
No mayor does it alone, and Jerry would have been the first to show you how teamwork made all the difference. Jerry’s longtime friends say, “Every thought he had was about how to make Manteno better.” What a wonderful legacy he leaves behind, including his children and grandchildren. Together with his wife Kay (nee Ruder) of 65 years, they raised John, Jeff, and Jan, all here in the village.
Jerry’s final tenure as mayor was from 1993 to 2001, a period remembered by longtime Mantenoans as a time of growth. And with that growth came challenges Jerry and his team met with thought and care. Besides serving Manteno as mayor, Jerry served on the board of Manteno Public Library District and Manteno Rotary.
This village is forever indebted to this man and his legacy. Thoughts and prayers encircle his family, now and always.