Gerald "Jerry" Priebe

Gerald L. Priebe "Jerry" took his last earthly breath on Friday, January 3rd, 2025 at home with his wife and close friends by his side. He'd been weakened the past year by his CHF.
He was born on April 25th, 1938, in Redfield, Iowa to Louis R. Priebe and Velma M. Chapman. They divorced when he was 12 and he and his dad went to California where he graduated from Glendale High School, had a variety of jobs last there being parts manager for 3M Corp. He also enjoyed his own Christmas Tree farm in Pasadena. He and his first wife, Mary and young son, Kevin moved to Ohio in the early '70s where he worked for a medical company in the Cleveland area. He and Mary divorced. He later married Loralyn "Lori' Ress. Renting from Mastead Farms in Benton, Ohio he worked at Skyline Trailer Factory in Holmesville, Ohio. A year later he started working for the farm. Leaving in 1991 he then started working for Merillat Cabinets in Loudonville and living in the Nashville, Ohio area. His last 7 years of working was as maintenance man for Altercare/Majora Lane facility in Millersburg, Ohio. In 2003, '05, '07, '09, '15, and '18 Jerry and Lori enjoyed 3-month road trips to Alaska where he always wanted to Homestead. He also did a Fly-in fishing trip to a remote Lodge in Alaska in 2020. He's been to Australia two times and Scotland. While in Holmes County he belonged to the Ohio Wagon Train, helped start Ohio Horsemans council and the Holmes County Trail. He enjoyed farm animals, gardening, fishing, and reading. He was a fixer and a builder. He also belonged to Cleve Amateur Boat Builders. For 20 years Jerry and Lori set up a pioneer camp with the covered wagon and managed the petting zoo at Prairie Peddler Festival in Butler, Ohio. His corny sense of humor and stories will be missed by many friends from Ohio to Alaska and Australia. He leaves behind his wife; stepson, Gregory E. Ress; half-sister, Patricia E. Wheeler (husband, Craig); nephew, Loren Priebe (wife, Misty) of Sandusky, Ohio; niece, Denise Diamond of Gilbert, Arizona; grandniece and great grandniece and grandnephew.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Dean C. Priebe; half brother, Kenneth C. Priebe; and son, Kevin King Magician.
Jerry's request:
He doesn't want crying
He doesn't want tears
Just laughter and stories
From over the years.
After cremation, a Celebration of Life will be held at St. John's Church of Millersburg on Saturday, April 26th, 2025. There will be a 12:00 noon meal at St. John's Church with dessert and stories to follow. Family asks that you bring a story to share. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ohio's Hospice LifeCare or to Alexander Funeral Home to help defray cost.
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