Jerry Branstetter's Obituary
Jerry Oliver Branstetter went to be with his Lord and Savior July 14, 2010 at the age of 69 years 11 months and 9 days. He was a resident of Marshfield MO at the time of death. After a long and continuous battle with cancer he briefly became a resident of the Marshfield Care Center, Marshfield MO.
Jerry was born, August 5th 1940 in Wright County. He was the second son of Charles Oliver and Marie (Marah) Branstetter. He is survived by his wife of 51 years: Wanda, his two children: Jerry Stephen Branstetter of Los Angeles CA and Kaylene Mathews of Elkland MO, and his older brother and friend: Rev. Dr. Paul Dean Branstetter of California MO. He was preceded in death by his loving parents.
He was married on June 7th, 1959 to his faithful wife and life partner Wanda Jean Bollinger of Seymour MO.
They were married at First Baptist Church of Seymour with Jerry’s brother Paul officiating. This year Jerry and Wanda celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.
Jerry was born with farming in his blood so that is the occupation he chose. He worked in partnership with his father Charles, building his own dairy and helping with the milking and farming duties at the old family farm until his Father retired. Jerry always tried to use the latest farming methods. With the building of a new milking barn featuring all of its high tech gadgetry, he made all of the local newspapers. In 1973, his family was chosen as Wright County's farm family of the year.
Jerry was a dedicated and lifelong Christian. He was involved in church activities and functions throughout his life. He served as a deacon at New Hope Baptist Church of Hartville, First Baptist Church of Hartville and Mount Zion Baptist Church of Hartville. At the time of his passing he was a member of Little Creek Baptist Church of Hartville.
Jerry loved playing and watching sports. He played on local church sponsored teams and various other community teams. Fishing and hunting were his favorite past times. He not only worked from dawn to dark when the seasons called for it, but he was one of the best at shooting quail and gigging fish. He and his brother enjoyed hunting and fishing together, as neither needed to give quarter to the other. His two coon hunting dogs, Sadie and Booger, were his pride and joy. He was secretary of the local Coon Hunting club in Seymour. Every Friday night that's where you could find him.
Jerry was a man of integrity and hard work. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Funeral services for Jerry are planned for Saturday Morning July 17, at 10:30 in Little Creek Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Steel Memorial Cemetery, Hartville, Missouri. Visitation is to be Friday evening July 16, from 7-8:30 in Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Hartville, Missouri.
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