Gerald Leroy "Jerry" Fletcher

Gerald "Jerry" Leroy Fletcher, 77, died on March 15, 2015, in Lincoln, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 5, 1937, in Beatrice, to George and Mareka (Aden) Fletcher and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1956. He joined the United States Air Force and honorably served his country at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in South Carolina from 1956-1960. He took college classes while in the Air Force and served as a youth group leader at a local church. He married Violet Janssen in 1966, they had two children, Joel and Julie, and resided in Beatrice. They later divorced and he married Karen Meyer in 1984. They were best friends for 30 years and he lovingly cared for her for many years, before her death in May 2014.

Jerry was a jack-of-all-trades, but focused on exterior/interior home and church painting, home contracting and home inspection. He and Karen also created two private home developments east of Lincoln.

Jerry delighted in life, always having a hum on his lips, a smile on his face and a joke to cheer others. He loved spending time with his family, ballroom dancing, gardening, walking his dog "Danny," decorating, especially for Christmas, and restoring antique cars, specializing in 1950s Plymouths.

He was a member of St. John Lutheran in Beatrice for over 40 years, serving as head usher, Sunday school teacher, and Luther League director, and later Trinity Lutheran in Walton. He was a member of antique car clubs in Beatrice and Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Donald, Robert and Arnold, sister, Dorothy, first wife Violet and second wife Karen.

He is survived by his son, Joel (Karen Vinella, esq), of Great Falls, Va.; daughter, Dr. Julie Fletcher of Norfolk, Neb.; step-son Steve Meyer of Waverly; step-daughters Lori Meyer of Lincoln, and Kristi Refior (Tracy) of Lincoln; granddaughter Rebecca Fletcher of Great Falls, Va.; grandson Daniel Meyer (Rachel) of Denver, Colo.; granddaughter Stephanie Meyer of Kansas City, Mo.; sisters, Bonne Wasmund of Westminster, Colo., Helen Cracker of Vancouver, Wash., and his beloved dog, Danny.

The family will meet and greet friends and relatives from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Roper & Sons, 4300 O Street, Lincoln, Neb. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Friday, March 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5315 S. 162nd, Walton, Neb., with Pastor Wentzel officiating. Memorials directed to family for later designation. Condolences may be left at www.roperandsons.com.