Jerry W. Longstreth Sr., 65, of Chillicothe, passed away at 11:24 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Jerry was born in Muscatine, IA on August 18, 1943, son of Everett E. “Whitey” and Cleo (Owens) Longstreth. He married Carole A. Layne on June 26, 1964 in Chillicothe. He was preceded in death by his mother; an infant brother; brother, John Longstreth; and sister, Sandra Rock.
He is survived by his wife, Carole A. Longstreth of Chillicothe; father and step mother, Everett and Helen Longstreth of Muscatine; sons, John (Rebecca) Longstreth of Honolulu, HI, Phillip (Robin) Longstreth of Murfreesboro, TN, David (Amy) Longstreth of Mt. Juliet, TN, Daniel (Julie) Longstreth of Memphis, TN and Jay (Jennifer) Longstreth of Peoria; daughter, Rachel (Matt) Ashcraft of Malaga, Spain; sisters, Virginia (Art) Sissel of Muscatine and Janice (Jim) Sanborn of Kansas City, KS; grandchildren, Adam, Sydney, Caleb, Joshua, Grace, Elisabeth, Mei Cei, Grant, Paul, Logan, Jacob, Kathryn, Jada and Faith.
Jerry retired in 2004 from Caterpillar, after thirty years of service. He was the Pastor of Henry Baptist Church for eight years, as well as serving in other Peoria area churches.
He graduated from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College and completed seminary school from Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga, TN to become an ordained minister.
Jerry enjoyed listening to Christian hymns, reading and studying the Bible and other books, collecting coins, spending his time at church and with his friends, family, grandchildren and his dog, Duke.
He loved people and the relationships that he had with them. He enjoyed socializing and visiting, by telling stories, puns and jokes. Jerry always knew what was going on and enjoyed helping others. If someone wished they had something, he would get it for them.
He always honored and respected his parents and never spoke ill of them. He will be remembered as a good and loving father and grandfather and devoted husband. He dedicated his life to serving the Lord.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at Chillicothe Mortuary. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2009, at Calvary Baptist Church in Chillicothe. Interment will be at LaSalle Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Henry Baptist Church.
| David |
Miss you today |
November 13, 2015 |
Just thinking of you today, Dad. I know you're cracking jokes in heaven. Looking forward to seeing you again.
| Daniel |
#4 |
December 26, 2012 |
Dad, mom misses you terribly. Thank you for being such an inspiration, such a blessing to everyone. Your love always mimicked what Jesus' love exemplified! What love; what sacrifice. We all miss you. I have tears of joy, yet sorrow on this earth. I can only smile when I imagine the joy on your face!
IKTHUS
Jerry, you have been in heaven now for 19 months. I miss you more than ever! I miss your smile. I miss your puns. I miss your hugs and kisses. I miss more every day. Can not wait until I get my body transplant to be with you. Love you.
Jerry, I miss you more than you will ever know. I celebrated our years together friday with Jay and Jenny. I miss your hugs and kisses. I miss you puns. I miss your helping me with whatever I needed. I miss your company. I miss you all the time. I miss your reading the Bible and praying. You were such a generous person. You helped people with what ever you could. You have left a legacy of wonderful children and grandchildren. You are so missed. I love you more than life . Your loving wife. IKthus
I miss you, Dad. Today is your 45th wedding anniversary with Mom. We all would probably be gathered together with you celebrating it if you were still with us. Someday, our hope is to be with you, laughing and enjoying your company. I won't even mind as many puns as you can think of!
I remember you were always supportive of my decisions. I always knew you'd be excited to hear about my plans--whatever they were. You drove me to the cemetery so I could practice my driving (at 15/16 years old)! ...To the Navy recruiters to sign up for the Navy. You helped me become the man I am today. I hope I can be a man who passes along love for Christ, and love for my family as you did.
| Cameron Fritz |
You are greatly missed |
July 6, 2009 |
I miss all your answers to my Bible questions. No one knew more than you. I can't wait to see you again.
1 Peter 5:7
| Tricia Goodrich Berry |
School Friend |
June 23, 2009 |
So sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. I lost both my parents now and really know what it's like to miss them so much. Carole, thanks for all the bus rides over the years. Last I remember seeing you was at a Home Depot in Peoria when I was with both Mom and Dad. That seems like so long ago. It's good to see everyone on facebook. My prayers and sympathy go out to all of you this Father's Day. Sincerely, Tricia
| sam& linda wheeler |
faithful servant |
February 26, 2009 |
Carole I know times will be very hard for you now but they say time will heal and you have that assurance that you will see him again, right now Jerry is busy visiting all those that have gone before. If you need to talk be sure and call me and we will get together. We will miss Jerry and his stories, always enjoyed eating out with you guys .Sam and I have alot of memories from the church in Creve Coeur with your family. We enjoyed Awana with you guys and had a good time there too with Jerry he was always so acknowledgeable with the Bible. Jerry will be missed and you Carole will be in our prayers. We were so sorry to have to miss the funreal and visitation but you were in our thoughts that day. God bless you and the family.
| Brad and Nancy Dunham |
Friends |
February 25, 2009 |
Carole and Family...
Please know our thoughts and prayers are and will continue to be with you at this time. We celebrate Jerry's graduation to heaven and his perfect health!
It has been some time since we have seen you all, but we have memories of your family, especially Rachel, and our times at PCS. We pray God's perfect peace and comfort for you all.
| Doug/Connie Neumann |
classmate |
February 24, 2009 |
The Longstreth Families: Our prayers, sympathy are with you. The good times as classmates are good memories and brief times our paths crossed since then. The stop you made to visit while in Kansas, the stop we made when Jerry taught a Sunday school c lass in Chilli. To Carole, that the Lord will meet a need in your life and the 'presence with the Lord' will be with you as Jerry is now experiencing completely. Doug and Connie Neumann, Sterling, Kansas
