Gerald Earl Whitney

Gerald Earl (Jerry) Whitney died on November 7, 2023, at the Greene Senior Living in Seward, NE, at the age of 85. He was born on November 21, 1937, to Earl and Mable Mitchell Whitney in Belleville, Kansas. He was the youngest of three children. Jerry attended Belleville Elementary until the sixth grade when the family moved to Creston, Iowa. The family returned to Belleville in 1954 and Jerry graduated from Belleville High School in 1955.

In 1957, Jerry enlisted in the Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1961 and remained as an inactive member of the Air Force reserves until 1963. In 1958, Jerry married Marlene Rott, at the United Methodist Church in Clyde, Kansas. They have two sons, Michael, and David.

Jerry began his lifelong career as a heavy-duty truck maintenance supervisor at Peake Transport in Chester, NE. In 1975 the family moved to Milford, NE, where he was employed by Lewis Service of Lincoln and later Rose Equipment Co until his retirement in 2003.

Jerry was gifted with the ability to create and fix many things. He had an avid interest in history and researching his family ancestry. He enjoyed competitive trap shooting and hunting in his early years. Later it was golf, wood carving, and painting.

Jerry’s greatest joy was his family, telling stories, attending many activities of his children, and grandchildren. His family remembers him for his kindness, honesty, sense of humor, and always being there for us.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marlene, Sons Michael (Pat) Whitney, Minden, NE; David (Marcy) Whitney, Sun City, AZ; Grandchildren, Eric (Kelli) Whitney of Milford, NE; Logan Whitney, Albuquerque, NM; Dani (Kane) Ramsey, Kearney, NE; Jon (Alicia) Whitney, Kearney, NE; and Alex Whitney, Omaha, NE. Six great grandchildren. Sister, Barbara Stevens, Kiowa, KS; Sister-in-law Leatrice Rott of Wichita, KS.

Preceding Jerry are his parents, grandson, Dustin Whitney; sister and brother-in-law, Pat, and Reg Yates; and brothers-in-law Larry Stevens and Marvin Rott.

Visitation: Tuesday November 14, 2023, from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at the Milford Funeral Home. Family will greet and receive relatives and friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Graveside Service: The Inurnment will be held Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 10:15 a.m. at the Blue Mound Cemetery, Milford, NE.

Celebration of Life Service: Wednesday, November 15, 2023, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Milford, NE.

A livestream will be available for the Celebration of Life Service. Click on the link right next to the Celebration of Live Service tab 10 minutes prior of the service to tune in. 

Memorials will be given to the United Methodist Church in Milford, or to the Milford Fire and Rescue.

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