Jerry M. Sperry

WAYNE — Jerry M. Sperry, 84, Wayne, died June 14, 2020, at his home in Wayne.

Visitation is 9 a.m. until the time of Mass, Friday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wayne.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., June 19, at St. Mary’s Church, with Fr. Jeff Mollner officiating.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Sperry, Benjamin Sperry, Victor Sperry, Roger Sperry, Jon Polak and Jere Morris.

Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Wayne.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hasemann Funeral Home, Wayne.

Jerry M. Sperry was born Oct. 16, 1935, in Dennis, Kan., to Horace E. and Mildred (Phillips) Sperry. After graduating from Cherryvale High School in Cherryvale, Kan., Jerry served in the United States Army from 1957-1959, serving in France. Jerry married Rita A. Litz Nov. 26, 1960, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Coleridge. He did various forms of construction for Hoesing Construction, Hartington, and then for Marra Home Improvement, Wayne, for 35 years. He also worked at Great Dane and the City of Wayne until his retirement. He had five part time jobs during his retirement.

Jerry was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wayne, for 58 years. He was a lifetime usher, Sacristan for many years, charter member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Tootsie Roll drive co-chairman, Wayne Food Pantry volunteer and a Webelos Leader. He enjoyed fishing, watching Kansas City Chiefs football, Husker football and volleyball. Jerry enjoyed watching his son’s football, baseball and basketball games, along with his grandchildren’s soccer, softball and baseball games. In his spare time, he would do woodworking, fixing anything that needed fixing and tinkering in the garage.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Rita; three sons, Jeff (Kelli), Norfolk; Jim (Lori), Elkhorn; and Bill, Vermillion, S.D.; six grandchildren, Beth, Sarah, Brandon, Stephanie, Benjamin and Carter; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jeanette (Dale) Graham, Kansas, and Gail (Ernie) Keyser, Texas; five brothers, Keith, California; Richard (Mary Alice), Kansas; Roger (Sandy), Kansas; Kenneth, Oklahoma; and Victor (Deanne), Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, RoseMary Polak, Coleridge, and Sheri Litz, Hartington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Larry; one brother, Eldon; one sister, Joyce Hoppes; brothers-in-law, Robert Hoppes, Norb, Jerry, Denis and Donnie Litz, and Don Polak; and sisters-in-law, Jean, Mati Mae and June Sperry, Agnes Litz and Evie Litz; and parents-in-law, Conrad and Mary Litz.