Jerome R. Praught

Jerome Praught, 55, of Moline, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 17.  He was at home with the comfort of his family after a fierce battle with aggressive prostate cancer.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Boardroom, 2220 37th St., Moline.  Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities.  

Jerome was born March 13, 1968, in Silvis, to Urban and Marie Praught. He married Molly Freiman on Nov. 5, 1994, after only six months of dating.

“As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was about to happen,” he said. He was right.

A 1986 graduate of United Township High School, Jerome attended Augustana College and Western Illinois University, graduating in the Board of Governors program.

He worked at RW Anderson and tended bar at Circa 21 and Chantilly Lace while going to school. He credited the late Bob Anderson Sr. with laying a foundation for a successful sales career.

He learned the Hearth & BBQ industry, working for Keith Beyhl at Fireplaces Plus. He went on to work for distributors and manufacturers. He co-authored “The Blueprint for Success,” teaching several HPBA members the key to financial success in business, collaborated on the industry’s first clean-face fireplace and enjoyed teaching the art of sales to all he worked with. He truly enjoyed the relationships he built through his work in the hearth industry.

Jerome was quick with a joke (or six), loved to tell stories about his most-recent travels and always had time to brag about his kids, Aisha and Spencer.

An incredibly fun father, Jerome encouraged his children to pursue their dreams, giving them the space and freedom to express themselves while cheering them on.

He had big plans for random acts of kindness if he ever hit the lottery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his family, who will seek to fulfill a few of Jerome’s dreams of giving.

He loved the Chicago Bears, attending concerts with his wife, traveling far and wide and golfing with friends.

Jerome is survived by his wife, Molly; daughter and son-in-law, Aisha and Will Leer, Boulder, CO; son, Spencer, Moline, and beloved rescue dog, Walter.

He also leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Marie, East Moline; mother-in-law, Dorothy Freiman, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; brothers Bryan (Andrea), Aurora, IL; Joe (Michelle), Eldridge, IA; sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Matt) Henning, Wisconsin Rapids; brother-in-law, Chris (Amy) Freiman, Sussex, WI; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Urban.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kandace, Dr. Burchett, nurse Jenny (‘from the block’) and the wonderful team at Genesis Health Group; the remarkable angels from Heartland Hospice, especially Desiree, Shelby and Meredith; friends Keith and Carol, Barb, Leslie, Alec, Tracy and Randy and Jamie – for all you have done.

“Here’s to the breezes!”

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.