The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


Meet Your Neighbor

by Susan Galbraith, Quill Reporter

Meet Your Neighbor Jerry Cokel of rural Media.

Jerry was born and raised in Monmouth and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1969. He then continued his education by attending welding school in Troy, Ohio and took electronics courses at Bloomington, and in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He is employed by W.W. Transport in Burlington, Iowa.

Previously, Jerry worked for GTE out of Monmouth/Macomb and also did trucking for TMC and American Freightway.

He is married to his bride, Bonita, of 23 years. She is a homemaker and does health care for her mother in their home.

His parents are Victor and Irene Cokel, both deceased.

A brother, Robert (Julia) lives in Monmouth. He has two sisters, Barbara (Max) Leezer of Monmouth, and Alice (Will) Clark also of Monmouth. They are all retired.

He is of the Catholic faith.

He and Bonita have 8 children: Amy Cokel of Galesburg, Jerame Cokel of Altona. Jerame is a civil engineer for the City of Galesburg; Melinda (Derek) Perry of Galesburg. Melinda is an RN for a cardiology office and Derek is a fireman;

Nathan is deceased,

Paul Miller lives in Burlington, Iowa and is employed at Champion, Denise Williams lives in Little York, Ben Miller lives in Burlington, Iowa and does construction and is presently running a dozer, on the Illinois side, for the new railroad bridge in Burlington, Iowa,

Rachael (Tony) Gibb lives in Stronghurst. Rachael is a homemaker and Tony is in construction and farms.

They have 13 grandchildren: Olivia, Alexandria, Bergen, Samuel, Isabella, Jacob, Christy, Jessica, Boni, Ava, Haven, Cameron, Aliana and one great-grandson, Nathan.

Jerry said leading the list of his favorite things to do, "Is to ride my Motoguzzi! I have three Motoguzzi's, a 1993 and a 1984 and a 1979. Both the 1984 and the 1979 have sidecars."

Jerry is a member of the (MGNOC) Motoguzzi National Owners Club. 2010 was the 25th year for a rally that was held at Big River State Forest with over 300 attending. He is also a club representative for Southern Illinois.

"I really enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren, love biking, but most of all I love sharing my life with my best friend, Bonita."