Jerry Eugene Withers, age 94, passed away in Coffeyville, Kansas, on July 27, 2026, just four days before his 95th birthday.
Jerry was born in Coffeyville on July 31, 1931, to Louis and Helen Katherine (Wilson) Withers. He grew up in Coffeyville and graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1948. He also attended Coffeyville Community Junior College on the GI Bill, completing his associate degree and machinist certificate.
After Jerry returned home from the Korean War, jobs were scarce, so he reenlisted for two more years in the U.S. Marines and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. While there, he met and fell in love with Janice Thorley, and the two eloped in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 7, 1954, keeping their union a secret from her parents until he returned from an assignment. After his honorable discharge, they moved back to Coffeyville, making it their forever home, where they raised their children and faithfully attended Holy Name Church. Janice preceded him in death on April 15, 2007.
Jerry was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the IAM Union.
Jerry was a hard worker. He began working in the Wheat Harvest Belt at the age of 14, traveling throughout Kansas, then Oklahoma, and on to Colorado, hitchhiking back to Coffeyville just before school started. He continued to pick up odd jobs throughout school. That work ethic continued through his working days at Jensen’s, Armstrong Ice Cream, and Wheatley Valve, where he worked until its closure. Parmac was his last place of formal employment, where he remained until his retirement. While working full time, he also owned and operated Jerry’s Dairy.
In his spare time, Jerry enjoyed breaking and training horses and doing leatherwork, his specialty was making saddles and special gifts for his family, including purses, wallets, and guitar straps. He was an accomplished gardener with a small orchard and grape vineyard. He loved his family, and they cherish many fond memories of him dancing with their mother and playing Saturday evening card games that all the children learned to enjoy. They also remember that Dad could fix anything with baling wire.
After being a bachelor for eleven years, Jerry found love again, and in 2018 he married Leahnora “Leah” Stiffler. He sold the farm and moved to Burlington, Kansas, until he needed a little extra care and moved in with his daughter.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Leah Withers of the home; his son, Raymond Withers and wife Pam; three daughters, Helen Rigdon, Jessica Trotter and husband Randy, and Rosemary Sortore; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; infant daughter, Terri Lynn; two grandchildren Holly and Sally Withers; one great-grandchild Reid Banzet; and sister, Mary Ann Bally.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m., with Father Drew Dellasega officiating. Committal services will follow at Calvary Cemetery, where Jerry will be laid to rest next to Janice. The family requests that those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Jerry’s honor make it payable to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.
To leave a message of condolence or share a memory, visit Jerry’s obituary at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.
