ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Jerry Finney. We will remember him forever.

August 14, 2018
August 14, 2018
The White Birds
William Butler Yeats
I would that we were, my beloved, white birds on the foam of the sea!
We tire of the flame of the meteor, before it can fade and flee;
And the flame of the blue star of twilight, hung low on the rim of the sky,
Has awakened in our hearts, my beloved, a sadness that may not die.
A weariness comes from those dreamers, dew-dabbled, the lily and rose;
Ah, dream not of them, my beloved, the flame of the meteor that goes,
Or the flame of the blue star that lingers hung low in the fall of the dew:
For I would we were changed to white birds on the wandering foam: I and you!
I am haunted by numberless islands, and many a Danaan shore,
Where Time would surely forget us, and Sorrow come near us no more;
Soon far from the rose and the lily, and fret of the flames would we be,
Were we only white birds, my beloved, buoyed out on the foam of the sea!
August 15, 2017
August 15, 2017
Our class reunion began a month ago, and that always brings up our Principal Hewey Tweedy and his dress code. It didn't affect me, but it was his tool of terror. I asked Jerry for some legal research, he knew Tweedy was a monster. He dug up unbeatable case law for me. I presented this to the school board, and said $15,000 was the average damages being awarded. I told them I'd enjoy their money, but just wanted them to drop it, and set my school free. They dropped it. I dropped out anyway, the retribution would have been brutal. But on behalf of the DuQuoin class of 1972, Thank You Jerry Finney.
August 14, 2016
August 14, 2016
I loved you then. I love you now. I always will. And in my heart, I know you're still with me.
August 14, 2015
August 14, 2015
It's bigger than both of us. I miss you so very much, but our love continues.
August 14, 2015
August 14, 2015
I miss you everyday Jerry. You'd be proud of what I'm going to do tomorrow, i know you're smiling down on me. I love you jerry
August 11, 2014
August 11, 2014
I know your girl Melanie misses you with all her heart and soul. She does her best and you would still admire her courage, as I believe you already did.We miss you too, and will never forget the all too brief time we shared with you. We will be forever grateful that we got to meet you. May you rest in gentle peace, friend.
May 23, 2014
May 23, 2014
God bless you, Jerry...may all those wonderful memories you made with Melanie brighten her days forever!
May 23, 2014
May 23, 2014
Today would have been your birthday. You're the first thing I think of when I wake every morning, and my last thought before I finally fall asleep at night. I miss you and the life we used to have, and I still love you with all my heart. I'm sorry so many sad things happened, but I will be forever grateful for the incredible love we shared.
September 6, 2013
September 6, 2013
Jerry was my first friend from age three as next-door-neighbors on Park Street in Du Quoin. We were friends through school and up to the early SIU days. Jerry was a lawyer before he was a lawyer. Good life Jerry.
September 4, 2013
September 4, 2013
Jerry left a wonderful, lasting impression on me in the few times we met. I'll never forget him looking around at the election watch party at the Fox News in one corner and CNN in the other and basically saying it was BS to call that balanced reporting... So we put on MSNBC and celebrated as they called the election for Obama way before fox.
August 25, 2013
August 25, 2013
Jerry was the best trivia player I've ever met. How he came up with these obscure answers was beyond me--he was simply amazing. What I loved most about Jerry was his wisdom and kindness toward animals. He was the most empathetic dog-lover, and I'll never forget how kind he was to Dave and me during Wiley's struggles. Miss you much, big man.
August 23, 2013
August 23, 2013
There were a bunch of us who grew up together who stayed close for many years, including Jerry. We knew there were some changes in his life, but for whatever reason for the last twenty years when one of us would reach out he wouldn't respond. We all feel badly about that, but will always remember the good friend we knew from earlier times.
August 23, 2013
August 23, 2013
"Jerry hung out at our house quite a bit, during his high school years. He was smart, interesting, funny, a little chip on his shoulder, but it was a friendly and fun chip. I always got a kick out of him, and always enjoyed when he was around. He was talented and unique, I liked him and I'll miss him.       Bill Appuhn    DuQuoin, Ill.
August 22, 2013
August 22, 2013
Jerry would see me in the hallways at work at DePauw, and he'd pause and look right at me (he pointed once or twice) and say, "White Sox fan," and that was it. I finally found out what he meant this past summer when we came to your house. Jerry and Melanie and my family were united in our hatred for (and pity for) the Cubs and Cub fans.
August 19, 2013
August 19, 2013
I have nothing but the highest regard and respect for Jerry. I was fortunate to serve with him on the Decatur Public School Board. Jerry was honest, straight to the point and had no time for political games. I loved his Mark Twain style of wit and mastery of the english language. One never had to wonder where he stood on an issue. He was "one of a kind" and will be missed.
August 18, 2013
August 18, 2013
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.


Michael Tarczan

INVESTIGATOR

Macon County Public Defender Office
August 18, 2013
August 18, 2013
Jerry, I love you. Thank you for teaching me the things you did. Driving, shaving, and being a man in life. I love you and mom will be taken care of. I miss you so much
August 16, 2013
August 16, 2013
I never met Mr. Finney but from hearing his wife talk about him, he must have been a wonderful man! May His soul rest in perfect peace, and may God comfort the whole family in this time of grief.
August 16, 2013
August 16, 2013
I have known Jerry for over 40 years. He was always a kind person with empathy for others. I will miss his thoughtful comments and dry sense of humor. May he be in heaven an hour before the devil knows he is gone. Rest in peace my friend.
August 16, 2013
August 16, 2013
Mr. Finney defended our teenage son many years ago. He really cared about helping us and we will forever be thankful for all he did. He was such a great legal mind, and we were so lucky to have him as our son's attorney. Deepest sympathy to all the family and we pray God will comfort you at this very sad time. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ferguson and Family in Decatur Il.
August 16, 2013
August 16, 2013
Death leaves a heartache
no one can heal;
Love leaves a memory no
one can steal!
Melanie, may all your beautiful memories with Jerry give you comfort!
August 16, 2013
August 16, 2013
To a great guy that will be missed greatly. We only met a few times that were way to short. I know you are looking down on us, my prayers and comfort are with Melanie and family. Angels are among us.
With love, Dinah

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Recent Tributes
August 14, 2018
August 14, 2018
The White Birds
William Butler Yeats
I would that we were, my beloved, white birds on the foam of the sea!
We tire of the flame of the meteor, before it can fade and flee;
And the flame of the blue star of twilight, hung low on the rim of the sky,
Has awakened in our hearts, my beloved, a sadness that may not die.
A weariness comes from those dreamers, dew-dabbled, the lily and rose;
Ah, dream not of them, my beloved, the flame of the meteor that goes,
Or the flame of the blue star that lingers hung low in the fall of the dew:
For I would we were changed to white birds on the wandering foam: I and you!
I am haunted by numberless islands, and many a Danaan shore,
Where Time would surely forget us, and Sorrow come near us no more;
Soon far from the rose and the lily, and fret of the flames would we be,
Were we only white birds, my beloved, buoyed out on the foam of the sea!
August 15, 2017
August 15, 2017
Our class reunion began a month ago, and that always brings up our Principal Hewey Tweedy and his dress code. It didn't affect me, but it was his tool of terror. I asked Jerry for some legal research, he knew Tweedy was a monster. He dug up unbeatable case law for me. I presented this to the school board, and said $15,000 was the average damages being awarded. I told them I'd enjoy their money, but just wanted them to drop it, and set my school free. They dropped it. I dropped out anyway, the retribution would have been brutal. But on behalf of the DuQuoin class of 1972, Thank You Jerry Finney.
August 14, 2016
August 14, 2016
I loved you then. I love you now. I always will. And in my heart, I know you're still with me.
Recent stories

Strength

August 28, 2013

I remeber this time, it was a funnier Jerry moment AND it made me realize something as I was thinking about it a few minutes ago.

I would say I was either a Sophomore or a Junior in college and JUST started getting into lifting. Now I wasn't the biggest kid around nor was I the strongest, BUT I did think I was the cock of the walk. Well one day Jerry and I were doing yard work and he was in the process of redoing the walk way stairs that we had in the backyard. These stairs lead down the hill which we have in the middle of the yard. Well there was this HUGE post that was part of the railing. Well Jerry goes, hey Muscles, go lift that pole out of the ground for me. Well I tried and I tried and I just couldn't get it to move. Well here comes Jerry and BOOM out comes the pole, man did I feel like whimp then.

But right now, this showed me how strong Jerry truly was. I am not talking about physical strength but the inner strength that he had to just be Jerry. He had to be strong for himself, my mother and his kids, and not ONCE did Jerry ever show weakness. He showed me what it was to be a man, and most importantly he showed me how to always be strong.

I miss Jerry everyday BUT I do know that he is in a better place right now smiling down at me telling me good job!!

Love you Jerry 

Poem, Read at Jerry's Wake

August 28, 2013

On The Death Of The Beloved

— John O’Donohue

Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.

The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.

May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.
 

 

August 23, 2013

    In 1971, DuQuoin had an authoritarian thug for a high school Principle. His claim to fame and weapon of terror was his Dress Code. Girls couldn't even wear pants to keep warm on freezing days. Then the hotter girls would be called in to his office to have their upper thighs personally tapemeasured to check for compliance with "the code". I looked and dressed normal, but he and the basketball coach were my first of many authoritarian goons, that I just couldn't put up with. So I decided to take his dress code from him. I wasn't as good at case law at age 17, as I later got. But Jerry knew the people involved and the sick situation. So he did the research, pro-bono, for the good of DuQuoin, and handed me the perfect case law. It was a legal slam dunk.       I guess I've never found a way to tell him how much that meant to me, and indeed DuQuoin in general. So now the best I can do is relate this history, and give to his local Humane Society. God bless you, Jerry Finney.         

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