Gerald Nelson "Gerry" Jones, Sr.

Gerald Nelson “Gerry” Jones, Sr., 86, of Sterling, passed away December 8, 2019 at Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons. He was born April 17, 1933 in rural Sterling, the son of Perry and Eda Gossman Jones. Gerry was a lifelong Sterling area resident.  He graduated from Sterling High School as salutatorian with the Class of 1951.  He worked as a machinist/tool control at Lyons Manufacturing Corporation from 1955 until his retirement in 2011.  Gerry enjoyed farming his entire life.  Gerry served in the United States Army from May 27, 1953 until his honorable discharge on May 20, 1955. Gerry was a lifetime NRA member. On April 1, 1953, Gerry was united in marriage with Donna Mildred Goodwin in Sterling. She preceded him in death on September 25, 2014. He is also preceded in death by his parents; son, Gerald Nelson Jones Jr.; and sister, Dorothy Tilton. Gerry is survived by his three children, Kerri Vagts and husband Carl of Sterling, Colleen Bisterfeldt and husband Bob of LaCrosse, KS;  and Clifford Jones and wife Tammy of Sterling; brother-in-laws, V.G. Goodwin and wife Teri of Berthoud, CO, and Harold Tilton of Sterling; sister-in-law, Sadie Goodwin of Sterling; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M., Friday, December 13, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with Pastor Kendal Conner officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to American Heart Association in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling. 

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