Gerald Chase, 84, of Oelwein passed away Sunday May 15, 2022 at MercyOne Medical Center in Oelwein. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday May 17, 2022 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein with Military Honors at 7:00 PM by the American Legion Post 9 Honor Guard of Oelwein. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM on Wednesday May 18, 2022 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein with visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM. Inurnment will be at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein.
Jerry was born on August 5th, 1937, to Clarence and Josephine (Nickles) Chase in Oelwein. He attended Sacred Heart, then transferred to and graduated from Oelwein High School. While in high school he worked at the local bowling alley setting pins and ushered at the Grand Theater. After high school, he went to work at John Deere, and then in 1960, Jerry was drafted into the Army and served for two years in Korea; and then was in the reserves for another four years. During this time he returned to work at John Deere and continued to do so until 1997 when he retired after working for 38 years.
Jerry married Sylvia Stockwell in 1968; they had two sons, Timothy and Randall. They later divorced. In 1976, he married Mary Kelly and born from this union were two children, Robyn and Nicholas.
Jerry was a devoted family man, known for his supportive ways and loving teasing. He was an accomplished bowler, being the first person in Oelwein that bowled a 300 game and this was prior to all the improved equipment. He shared his love of bowling by helping the kids in Junior Bowling League improve their skills. He was also a long-time fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Cubs. For his 80th birthday, his children surprised him with a trip to Wrigley Field in Chicago to cheer on his beloved Cubbies.
Jerry was a member of Sacred Heart Church often serving as usher, Knights of Columbus, John Deere Union, US Bowling Association, the 700 Series Bowling Club, and was a USA Junior Olympic Bowling coach.
Jerry is survived by his wife Mary; his daughter Robyn (Gabe) Lucas of Peosta, IA, sons Nic (Amanda) Chase of Cedar Rapids, IA, Randy (Tabitha) Chase, of Marion, IA, Tim Chase of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren, Zachary and Aubrey Lucas, and Owen and Liam Chase; sister Regina Chase of Denver, CO, twin brother Larry (Ruby) Chase of Waterloo, IA; special nephew Scott (Joyce) Chase of Bloomington, MN; and several other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Josephine; a brother, Clarence Jr.; mother and father-in-law Ivan and Evelyn Kelly; and sister-in-law, Carmen Manganella.
