Jerome H. "Jerry" Rehagen

Jerome Herman "Jerry" Rehagen, age 85, of Rich Fountain, was born August 14, 1938, at Freeburg, a son of Alexander Henry and Emma Elizabeth (Ruder) Rehagen, and passed from this life Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia.
After graduating from Fatima, Jerry entered active federal service in the United States Army on June 27, 1956, and proudly served until June 20, 1959, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 4th Class. A man of excellent character Jerry's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimony of selfless and dedicated service to his country.
He was united in marriage July 18, 1964, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rich Fountain, to the former Miss Lorraine Christine Boehm. Jerry and Lorraine went on to adopt a son, Travis Rehagen. Travis and his wife, Ashley, have blessed Jerry and Lorraine with two grandchildren, Arianna, and Michael "MJ" Rehagen.
After serving in the United States Army, Jerry continued his working career on a tugboat, where he towed barges of coal for the Peabody Coal Company on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers for five years. In 1964, he began working as a Union Electrician, and was a member of IBEW Local 257 until his retirement in February of 2001 after 37 years.
Jerry was a member of the Blacksmithing Association of Missouri (BAM), the Paul A. Hasenbeck Memorial American Legion Post 317, Freeburg, and the Knights of Columbus Council 10690. He served as the IBEW Retirees Club president for eleven years, and loved hunting, fishing, and blacksmithing. He was known by many as someone that could invent just about anything to make something work better.
Those left to mourn the passing of Jerry include: his wife of almost 60 years, Lorraine, of the home in Rich Fountain; his son, Travis and wife, Ashley, of Rich Fountain; two grandchildren, Arianna and Michael "MJ" Rehagen; his brother, Francis Rehagen, and wife, Joan, of Silex; his three sisters, Teresa Falter and husband, Leander, of Freeburg, Anne Falter and husband, Norbert, of Westphalia, and Janet Waer and husband, Lee, of Jefferson City,
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Alex Rehagen, on November 15, 1996, and his mother, Emma Rehagen, on February 4, 2007.
Visitation for Mr. Rehagen will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2023, and 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 30, 2023, with his Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m., all in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4277 Hwy U, Rich Fountain, MO 65035, with Rev. William D. Debo as the celebrant, under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.
Interment, with full Military Honors, will be held in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Rich Fountain. Pallbearers for Jerry will be Dennis Bax, Darrell Bax, Steve Falter, David Falter, Michael Falter, and Vincent Leahy. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Ruder, Vincent Ruder Jr., Russell Ruder, Charles Eisterhold, David Bexten, Jimmy Eisterhold, Clarence Boehm Jr., Joe Boehm, Dean Bax, and Michael Jerome "MJ" Rehagen.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Rehagen are suggested by his family for Masses, to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Sacred Heart Building Fund with envelopes available at the church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.
Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com