Gerald Splett

Gerald H. "Buster" Splett, age 62 of Janesville died on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at his home following a long battle fighting Hepatitis C.             Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Dr. Larry Griffin, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Janesville Cemetery.             Visitation will be held on Thursday fro 4 to 8 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Janesville, and will continue on Friday morning for one hour prior to services, at church.             Gerald Henry was born on April 5, 1949 in Mankato, Minnesota to Clarence and Evelyn (Yonke) Splett. He graduated with the class of 1968 from Janesville High School. "Buster" served his country with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge in 1971, he returned home and began a 27 year career as Deputy Sheriff for Waseca County. On August 24, 1975 he was united in marriage to Maggie Lundgren in Morristown. Maggie passed away in 1995. On June 8, 1996 Buster married Jackie Pederson in Janesville, where they have continued to reside. Following his retirement from the Sheriff's Department in 1998, Buster owned and operated J & J Liquor Store in Janesville. Buster was an active member of the Janesville Community, and Waseca County. He served one term (1998-2002) as Waseca County Commissioner, and was elected to the Janesville City Council where he was currently serving his second term, and was currently serving on the Janesville Nursing Home Board. He was a former member of the Janesville Utility Board, and the Park Road Plaza Board. Buster was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville where he was currently serving as chief usher. He enjoyed fishing, bird watching, and walking (talking!) around Janesville.             He is survived by his wife Jackie, step-sons Terry Lundgren (special friend Diane Radunz) and Todd Lundgren all of Janesville, and Brent (Tiffany) Gregg of Spring Valley, WI; by his step-daughters Jamie Arndt of Janesville, Delaine (Adam) Mattison of Spring Valley, WI, and Tara Eschenbach of Woodville, WI; by 22 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; by his sisters, Diane Benson (special friend John Larson) of Janesville, Suzy (Bill) Mihm of Forest Lake, Shirley Stafford of Janesville, Patti Hinna (special friend Al Hinderscheid) of Janesville, and Dawn (Bob) Youngblood of Colorado Springs, CO; by his sisters-in-law Kathy Splett of Waseca, and Connie Splett of Janesville; by many nieces and nephews cousins and other relatives and friends.              He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Maggie, and his two brothers Steve Splett and Gary Splett; by his father-in-law and mother-in-law Richard and Phyllis Standaert; by his nephews Jacob Gleason, Derrick Owens, and Bryan White; by his great grandson Blake Hoehn.             Casketbearers are: Frank Zimprich, Mel Schmidt, Clinton Rogers, John Sprengler, Pete Madel, and John Schmidt.             Honorary Casketbearers are: Jim Peterson, Brad Milbrath, Ed Kubat, and Tim Collins.