Gerald E. "Jerry" Withee Sr.

Skowhegan-- Gerald "Jerry" E. Withee Sr., 68, of Skowhegan died Friday, Aug. 25, 2006, at the Maine Medical Center in Portland with family by his side.

He was born in Benton on Oct. 12, 1937, son of William and Ethelyn (Collins) Withee.

He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of the American Legion in Skowhegan.

He married Rachel A. Kelley on Aug. 29, 1964, in Skowhegan.

He loved collecting NASCAR items and watching football.

He was predeceased by his father, William, his mother, Ethelyn, two brothers, Edward and Clyde Withee, both whom died in Vietnam, and a sister, Marion W. Thompson.

He is survived by: his wife, Rachel, of Skowhegan; one son, Gerald Withee Jr. and his wife, Melissa, of Canaan; and four daughters, Peggy Withee and her companion, Terry Burrill, of Skowhegan; Louise Mcgraw and her husband, David, of Skowhegan; Joy Withee and her companion, Tom Meunier, of Skowhegan; and Brenda Bowden and her companion, Doug Soucier, of Skowhegan; 19 grandchildren, Billy, Laura, Brittany, Whitney, Joshua, Ryan, Nicholas, David, Stephen, Nicole, Aidan, Shawn, Kelley, Aaron, Michael, Caleb, Montana, Bobby, Danny and one great-grandson, Cody; three brothers, Arthur Withee and his wife, Joanne, of Fairfield; David Withee of Skowhegan; and Ronald Withee and his wife, Rose, of Anson; brother-in-law David W. Thompson of Skowhegan; four sisters, Virginia Washburn and her husband, Reginald, of Skowhegan; Martha Ann Walker of Madison; Judy Turgeon and her husband, Gary, of Madison; Suzanne Walsh and her husband, Kevin, of Madison; sister-in-law Delores Withee of Waterville; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2006, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, with Pastor Skip Gleason officiating. Interment will follow at the East Skowhegan Cemetery.