Jerry Dean Tucker

Jerry Dean Tucker, 74, of Montpelier, passed away January 7, 2015 surrounded by his loving wife and family. Visitation will be Friday, January 9, 2015 from 5-8 pm at The Runge Mortuary. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 12:00 pm at The Runge Mortuary. Burial will be in Montpelier Cemetery. Montpelier, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com.

Jerry was born May 21, 1940 in Washington, IA; the son of Edward H. and Joy Ann (Lopshire) Tucker. He was united in marriage to Judith Ann Bird on February 19, 1966 at the Ziegler Memorial Church in New Era, IA. He started out working as a newspaper boy in Buffalo, IA. He later spent his career working for the Rock Island Arsenal, retiring in 2009 after thirty-five years of service. He was very proud of his accomplishments which were of great importance to him. He enjoyed going to garage sales, mushroom hunting, collecting die-cast cars, going to auctions and flea markets, being outdoors and picking berries, traveling across the country with his wife and family and taking very long, long drives. Jerry loved taking care of his loving cats: Lucy, Lacy, Isabella and Paisley. He also had a green thumb and always loved giving someone a helping hand. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Judith; children: Penny Kay, Jenny LaVonne, Dawn Medrith (fiancé, Jay Schmelzer), Jerry Dean and Beth Ann (Tom Davis), grandchildren: Josh Tucker and Missy, Nick Shinners and Hannah, Luke and Sarah Martz, Nate Martz, Jennifer Doak, Amber and Brian Batey, Cody Chitty, Drew Tucker and Nikole, Samantha Moody, Tiffani Tucker and Elizabeth and Charles Masek; two great grandchildren and two on the way; brother, Jim (Beverly) Tucker and sisters: Judith (Earl) Mead, Linda (Van) Curtis and Becky Abbott. His parents, sister, Sandra Naugle and a brother, Tommy Joe preceded him in death.