Gerald P. "Jerry" Myers Sr.

Gerald P. “Jerry” Myers Sr., age 95 of Mattoon, IL passed away on August 20, 2024, at his residence in Mattoon, IL. No services are scheduled at this time. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 is in charge of arrangements. Jerry was born on July 21, 1929, in Mattoon, IL to the late Earl David and Mattie Mae (Webster) Myers. He married Linda L. Harpster on October 5, 1984, in Paris, IL. She survives and resides in Mattoon, IL. He is also survived by one daughter, Nona Rae Myers and husband Bill Marrs of Las Vegas, NV; one son, Gerry Myers and wife Barb of Charleston, IL; three stepchildren: Mark Herman and significant other Diana of Mattoon, IL, Tamera Hutton and husband Phil of Charleston, IL and Teresa Mummel and husband Bill of Mattoon, IL; one grandson, Gregg Denton and wife Alison of Chicago, IL; five step grandchildren: Brandon Riley and wife Tere, Kellen Herman, Trevor Phillips, Neeley Campobasso and husband Matthew, and Kiley Herman; eight step great-grandchildren: Isla and Nola Riley, Gamma, Bella, and Luca Campobasso, Haden, Elias and Loxley Herman and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert E. Myers and his wife Viola; and sister, Betty Carter and her husband Gene. In 1991, Jerry retired from the Journal Gazette in Mattoon, IL where he served as a pressman for more than forty dedicated years. He was the oldest member of the Family Worship Center in Mattoon, IL, a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge in Mattoon, IL and a member of the Illinois Fiddler Association. Having a passion for music, Jerry started playing stringed instruments at the age of fifteen. Being partial to bluegrass music he honed his fiddle playing skills. Over the years he played in local bands and competed in fiddle competitions throughout central Illinois. He also competed in the Illinois State Fair Banjo and Fiddle contest for many years where he won several awards including first place. Jerry loved automobiles and enjoyed restoring antique cars. His most prized restorations were a 1929 Ford Model A, which was special due to it being his birth year, a 1924 Ford Model T and a 1939 Harley Davidson motorcycle. A fierce cancer survivor, and beloved family man with a keen sense of humor, Jerry’s generosity was never ending. His love and dedication were unwavering. As a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, he will be lovingly remembered. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Gerald P. "Jerry" Myers Sr.

July 21, 1929 - August 20, 2024