Gerald “Jerry” Smothers

Gerald "Jerry" Smothers

Gerald “Jerry” Smothers

Gerald “Jerry” Smothers
October 24, 1929 – January 21, 2013
Oskaloosa, Iowa

Served With Honor – United States Military Veteran

Jerry passed away Monday morning at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa at the age of 83 years, 2 months, and 28 days.

Gerald Dean Smothers, son of Emil and Lena Grace Smith Smothers, was born October 24, 1929 in Linby, Iowa. Jerry’s family moved to King City, Missouri when he was a child and it was there he attended high school. Following his education he worked as a farm hand for an uncle. Jerry spent two years in the National Guard. He married Betty Lou Russell, May 5, 1959, in Princeton, MO. They eventually moved to Oskaloosa and he began his near 30 year career with Vermeer Manufacturing as a line assembler. He retired August 1, 1997. In his spare time, Jerry enjoyed woodworking, old cars, tinkering in his garage, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren.

Jerry’s family includes his children: Jerry (Debbie) Smothers of Phoenix, AZ and Leeann (Jeff) Parlet of Oskaloosa; six grandchildren, one great-grandson; a sister, Doris (Don) Hinkle of King City, MO; a brother, Ronnie (Dolores “Dee”) Smothers of Long Beach, CA; a close companion, Betty White of Oskaloosa; and four step-children and their spouses.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his step-father, Archie Campbell, his wife Betty Lou on September 25, 2004; a sister, Evelyn; and a brother, Arvin.

Visitation: will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday morning, January 24, 2013 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will be present from 6 – 7 p.m. to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 10 a.m., Friday morning, January 25, 2013 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Reverend John Allard of the First Penecostal Church officiating.
Interment: Cremation will be accorded and private burial of his ashes will be at Friends Cemetery in Oskaloosa.

Memorials may be made in his name and will be designated at a later time.

Posted by on Jan 22 2013. Filed under Obituaries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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