Gerald "Jerry" Raymond Petlon

Gerald “Jerry” Raymond Petlon, 68, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away at his home on Friday, March 3, 2017, following a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 22, 1948, in Monticello, the son of Raymond F. and Carlyn L. (McElmeel) Petlon.  Jerry was raised and educated in Manchester and graduated in 1966 from Manchester High School.

Jerry was united in marriage to Karen Boll on April 20, 1968, at the United Methodist Church in Manchester.  Jerry was employed at the Skelly Gas Station, was a tractor mechanic at Manchester Farm Equipment, and retired from the Delaware County Secondary Roads Department in 2012.  He served in the Army National Guard.

Jerry cherished the time he spent watching and cheering on his children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed gardening, mowing grass, cutting firewood, camping, playing cards, and his daily walk.  Jerry worked in the pit crew for Owen’s go cart racing.  Jerry was an “amateur” taxi driver for his grandchildren.

Left to cherish Jerry’s memory include his wife of 48 years, Karen Petlon of Manchester; four children, Marti (Peggy) Petlon and Ami (Shane) Ward, all of Manchester, Casey (Pam Tibbott) Petlon, of Masonville, and Jena (Zac) Lujan of Manchester; eight grandchildren, Benjamin, Carson, and Lena Petlon, Owen, William, and Evangeline Ward, Livvy Petlon, and Raylin Lujan; and six brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Edith Boll of Dundee, Betty Boll of Lewisburg, Kentucky, Mary Boll of Louisiana, Linda Toms of Manchester, Jerry (Wendy) Boll of Big Fork, Montana, and Ronnie (Janice) Boll of Dundee.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Julie Sue Petlon; six brothers-in-law, Arvin Boll, Merwin Boll, Bob Boll, Leland Boll, Donald Boll, and Darl Toms; two sisters-in-law, Maxine Boll and Elaine Boll.

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