Jerry King of Nashville, formerly of Harrisburg
HARRISBURG - Jerry King of Nashville, formerly of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, while visiting his daughter in Sunset, South Carolina.
He was born in Harrisburg to Hurley and Beulah King and grew up on his family farm. He attended school at Cain and Liberty one-room grade schools. He graduated from Harrisburg High School and attended Murray State College.
In 1958, Jerry was invited to try out as a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team at Busch Stadium. Although he did not make the team, it was always a highlight of his life.
He met Marilyn Gellerman in Springfield while pursuing a career in the funeral business. They married in May of 1963 and moved to Chicago, where Jerry worked for a funeral home.
Jerry and Marilyn then moved to Taylorville, where he worked at Ned Connelly Funeral Home. In 1966, Jerry and Marilyn purchased Smith Funeral Home in Nashville, which he operated as King Funeral Home until 1975. At that time, Jerry and Marilyn purchased their first nursing home and continued in the long-term care business to date.
Jerry was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Shriners and Lions Club.
Sports were a passion for Jerry. He loved to play golf and enjoyed watching baseball and basketball games. He coached his son in golf, basketball and baseball, whether it was on or off the course, court or field. He also loved watching his grandsons play sports.
Jerry enjoyed fishing and hunting with his son, grandsons and friends and told many fishing and hunting stories. Most days, Jerry would be found outside, where he liked to garden and work in his yard.
He and Marilyn lived in Bonita Springs, Florida, during the winter months. They enjoyed traveling and entertaining their many close friends.
Marilyn passed away on Jan. 18 of this year. Also preceding him in death were his parents.
Survivors include his sister, Shirley (Lee) Clayton of Nashville; children, Michelle (Bill) Hirschfeld of Sunset, South Carolina, Denise (Michael) King Mullen of St. Louis, Keith (Amie) King of O'Fallon, Leslie (Tim) Pedtke of Ashley and Elizabeth King of Ellisville, Missouri; grandchildren, Bryce and Bryn Hirschfeld, Troy, Cole and Luke Pedtke and Lilian and Hazel Todorov; and cousin, Dr. Charles (Marlene) Johnson of Carrier Mills.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, in Grace United Methodist Church in Nashville with the Rev. William Bunnage officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Nashville. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 and 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at Styninger Funeral Home in Nashville and then again at 10 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Nashville Lions Club, Nashville Theatre, Nashville Golf Course, Nashville High School or St. Ann Catholic School.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.styningerfuneralhomes.com or on the funeral home's Facebook page.