1944
Gerald
2015
Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Kearney
November 23, 1944 — September 29, 2015
Goreville-Gerald (Jerry) Wayne Kearney, 70 went to be with his Lord at 3:45 am September 29, 2015. He was surrounded by family as he made his journey into everlasting life.
Gerald was born on November 23, 1944 to Lester E and Marion (Els) Kearney in Long Beach, CA. He married his wife of 50 years, Alice Frier on November 19, 1964 in Sioux Falls, SD.
He graduated from Washington High in Sioux Falls, SD in 1964 and served his country honorably with the Navy SeaBees. He served two tours in Vietnam between 1964 and 1966.
Upon discharge he returned to SD and worked as a tool and die maker. In 1969 they moved to Burnsville, MN and he went to work for Control Data. In 1971 he decided to give sales a try and worked for Schwan’s Sales for 29 years. He moved several times with Schwan’s serving different positions with the company. In 1999 he retired with his wife to the home they owned in Illinois. Jerry drove school bus for Marion Unit 2 Schools for 15 years until health problems forced him to retire. He missed being around the kids and felt he was a positive influence on them.
Survivors include wife, Alice Kearney of Goreville and four children – son Todd and wife Cyndi of Zachary, LA – Daughter Teresa and husband Scott Gernon of Folsom, LA – Gerald Wayne Kearney, Jr. and wife Tara of Elsmere, KY – son Kyle and wife Sara of Orange City, FL. Nine grandchildren: Jeremy and Ashlynn Kearney; Bryce, Avery and Sophia Gernon; Destiny and Melissa Kearney; Clayton “Bear” and Landon “Brees” Kearney. Brother Earl Kearney of Bullhead City, AZ. Half-brother Dan Kearney and wife Sandy. Half-sister Dorothy Callahan and husband Tom from Sioux Falls, SD, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. He loved them all along with sister-in-law Viola Fuerst, Aunt Bonnie Middlen both from South Dakota and sister in law Marlene Kearney of Goffstown, NH.
He is preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Ferne, brother Michael, half-brother David and an infant son, Brian Scott, who died at birth.
Jerry was very proud to be baptized on Aug 11, 2015 in the Veterans Administration hospital chapel. He did not know if he was baptized as a child and felt strongly that he wanted to make sure he was before his death – he had rededicated his life to God.
Jerry wished to be cremated and after his wife passes both will be buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.
Memorial services will be held at Blue Funeral Home in Marion on Friday October 2, 2015 at 11:00 am with Rev. Tim Ozment officiating. Visitation will also be on Friday from 10:00am until the time of service at the funeral home.
For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit bluefuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Kearney, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Blue Funeral Home (Marion)
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