Nellie F. Jersak

Nellie (Nell) Jersak, daughter of Oliver & Sarah Ethel Crosswhite, was born January 10, 1926, in Springfield, MO. Surrounded by family, Nellie passed away at Cox Hospital on November 28, 2022, following a massive stroke. Her father was among the six Springfield-area law enforcement officers killed in the infamous Young Brothers Massacre near Brookline, MO, on January 2, 1932, just days before her 6th birthday. Her mother persevered & surrounded her children with love, joy & happiness; Nellie carried this on with her own family. She was our rock, a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, sister & friend.
Nellie was a 1943 graduate of Springfield Senior High School. After high school, she was employed by orthopedist Dr. Horton in the Medical Arts Building as an office assistant. She met the handsome new dentist in town on the elevator; they were married on December 22, 1947. She thoroughly enjoyed her 4 children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren!
Nellie was the President of the St. John's Hospital Auxiliary, volunteered at Crosslines, Meals on Wheels & Ronald McDonald House. She was an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church as an Elder & Foundation member, enjoyed The Craft Guild & quilting group. She later joined Trinity Presbyterian Church. During the 12 years she & Bill lived at the lake, she worked at Silver Dollar City, retiring from the leather shop.
Nellie was preceded in death by her son Paul (1986), husband Bill (1988), 4 brothers & 2 sisters.
She is survived by her daughters, Louise (Wayne) Plagens, Black Canyon City, AZ, & Nancy (Ken) Henderson, Kimberling City, MO, & her son Richard (Wanda) Jersak, Nixa, MO; grandchildren Margo (Tony) Jones, Krista Grisham, Chris (Megan) Grisham, Sara (Lee) Busby, Jill (Andrew) Mease, Gina (Matt) Papen; great-grandchildren Kaitlin, Megan & Tyler Jones, Anna Grisham, Lincoln & Merraway Mease, Alec Edwards; many nieces & nephews. Nellie was dearly loved & will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Cremation under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, private burial will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Greene County 100 Club, whose purpose is to give immediate financial support to the family of a fallen law enforcement officer or firefighter. More information can be found at www.GreeneCounty100Club.com. Donations can be made by mail:
Greene County 100 Club
4730 S. National, Suite A1
Springfield, MO 65810
A special thanks to The Manor at Elfindale staff for excellent care in the year preceding her death & for making "Miss Nellie" feel so special, as well as Cox Hospital staff for wonderful, compassionate care in her final days.