Jerry Coates

Gerald D. “Jerry” Coates, 85, of Wheatland, Iowa passed away Friday, February 11, 2022, at Westwing Place in DeWitt, surrounded by his loving family.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, at Christian Free Lutheran Church in Wheatland, Military Rites will follow at the church. Interment will take place at a later date in Blue Grass Cemetery.

Jerry was born in Davenport, Iowa on April 21, 1936, to Ove and Alta (Meier) Coates in the hottest year on record because he had a “diaper rash that just wouldn't quit!” He graduated from Moline High School with the class of 1954. Jerry was a staff sergeant in the Air Force serving from 1954 to 1958. He met Judy Sullivan in January 1960 and they later married on October 15, 1960.

Jerry wore many hats in his working years. His first civilian job was at Alcoa, he was a farmer, school bus driver - his favorite job, a fuel delivery driver for Farm Service and delivered the Quad City Times for 20 years. He also worked for Aurora Casket Co. and his last job was driving for RiverBend Transit. He was a jack of all trades and a master of none. Jerry enjoyed camping, bowling, family time and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a secretary for the Wheatland Lions Club for 11 years.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Judy Coates, sister Florence McClean, daughters Renee (Russell) Gibson, Amy (Dennis) Whitlock, Deana (Laurence) Coates, son Jeremy (Jennifer) Coates, and son-in-law Rich Coe; grandchildren, Allison Coe, Jenna Coe, Parker (Deanne) Gibson, Graham (Molly) Gibson, Spencer Gibson, Sarena Gibson, Sawyer (Lexie) Flynn, Lexie (Michael) Ertz, Jerald J. Coates, Jerrick Coates and Jeslyn Coates; 7 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Jerry was preceded in death by his brother Kenneth, infant son Craig Allen, daughter Keri Coe, and infant grandson.

Memorials may be given in support of the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities which he was proud to experience in April 2016. He was the hardest working man we knew!

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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