Rev. Jerry Oliver

Jerry Oliver passed away Saturday, October 9, 2010, at Legacy Lodge, Circle of Life Hospice Facility in Chariton, Iowa. While we claim him as beloved brother, husband, and father, he is a man loved by people in this and surrounding communities, for he touched many lives in his careers as science teacher at Melcher-Dallas High School for forty years, United Methodist Pastor in the Spring Hill, Ira, Batavia, Melcher-Dallas, and Southeast Warren churches for forty-six years, and a farmer in Lucas County since 1959. Jerry was born February 36, 1942, to Walter and Dorothy Oliver, the first of six children. The Oliver family lived in Des Moines, and near Palmyra and Norwood before moving to the farm near Oakley they have called home since 1959. Jerry devoted himself to three areas: his family, his church, his teaching. These three were balanced, equally important to him. He worked so hard to make his parents' lives better, making tough decisions, working many hours for other people to help "the kids," the younger siblings. After graduating from Chariton High School in 1960, Jerry joi9ned the U.S. Air Force and trained as a medical technologist, working at the hospital at Andrews Ai...[more]

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orce Base near Washington, D.C. until his discharge in 1964. He graduated from Simpson College in 1966, having worked for two men he admired greatly, Drs. Herman and Egly in Chariton, to pay his way through school. He attended medial school and seminary before completing a teaching degree from Simpson College and beginning his career at Melcher-Dallas High School teaching biology, chemistry, physics, life science, and numerous independent study classes to help students get science credit when their schedules got too complicated to work well. He loves his students and worked hard to help them prepare for higher education and a higher quality of life, teaching them to appreciate themselves, others, the world. Hundreds of students today can recite verbatim definitions for "protoplasm," "osmosis," and "photosynthesis" they learned years ago in science class, and they always recite with a smile. Jerry became a United Methodist because of the influence of his beloved uncle, Bill Woodruff. He served as a full-time pastor at Melcher-Dallas and as a part-time pastor in other churches. He loves his church, serving most recently at Lacona United Methodist Church. He is so proud of the people there as they lived out their commitment to their church, its building, and the whole community. Jerry and his wife Carol are Simpson College sweethearts, having fallen in love beneath the whispering maples on campus and marrying in 1965 while they were students there. They have so enjoyed their sons John and Joseph, considering the two boys to be treasures in their lives. They have welcomed Toni and Estella and six grandchildren: Garrett, Cole, Paige, Brock, Alex, and Joseph, and many nieces and nephews over the years, always interested in each person's life, goals, and experiences. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Charlotte, grandparents, aunts and uncles. He is survived by Carol, John, and Joseph and their families, sister Linda Wild, her husband Ed, and their children Wendy and Eddie, Eddie's son Trenton, and Trenton's mother Stephanie; brother Bill Oliver, his wife Kris, and their children Kirk and Amanda; brother Dennis Oliver, his wife Laura, and their children Anne Peterson, her husband and son Brent and Joel Peterson, Matt Oliver and his wife Jill, Phil Oliver and his wife Amy, and Megan Oliver; brother Thomas Oliver; and several cousins. Many, many friends survive and honor him in so many ways. Jerry and his family appreciate so many people for the kindnesses and support they have received, especially during the last seven months as he battled pancreatic cancer. Sharon Seuferer has been as inspiration and constant help. Dr Matt Hill and Jane are special people to him; he feels angels' wings fluttering nearby whenever he goes for treatment. The staff people of Medical Oncology and Hematology Associates, Mercy Hospital, Dr Michael McCormick and his staff, Melcher-Dallas School students, staff and community members, Southeast Warren Schools staff, Lacona United Methodists and all Southeast Warren United Methodists, family members and friends--you touch us so deeply. John Pierschbacher is in charge of funeral arrangements; services will be held at Melcher-Dallas High School, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 13. The family will greet friends between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the high school in Melcher-Dallas. Memorial gifts will be shared among M-D Schools Dollars for Scholars, Lacona United Methodist Church, and Circle of Life Hospice in Chariton.