Jerome A. "Jerry" Fehringer, 89, passed away Saturday evening, November 22, 2008, at Miller Memorial Nursing Home in Chappell. Jerry was a long-time resident of Chappell and will be remembered by many for his community involvement and as the John Deere man.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chappell with Father Neal Nollette officiating. Interment was at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jerry's name to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chappell or to Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Holechek Funeral Home in Chappell is in charge of the arrangements.

Jerome A. Fehringer was born on September 2, 1919 to John and Clara Fehringer at their farm west of Peetz, Colorado, the second child of 13. He attended school in Peetz and Sidney and graduated from Peetz High School in May, l938. Â After graduation, Jerry farmed at home with his father and worked at the John Deere store in Peetz.

On Jan. l7, l942, just more than a month after Pearl Harbor, Jerry was sworn in to the U.S. Marine Corps in Denver. Â

During a military leave in March of 1945 Jerry served as best man at the wedding of his former classmate, Bill Armstrong. At the wedding he met the bridesmaid, Kathleen (Kay) Mohatt, who would later become his wife.

Jerry was honorably discharged from the Marines in November 1945 and came home to Peetz. He worked for local farmers and at the International Machinery Co. in Sterling and later for the John Deere dealership in Sidney.

Jerry and Kay were married in Sidney, Nebraska on September 23, 1948.

In the fall of 1949, the John Deere dealership in Chappell was put up for sale and Jerry met with the owner. That same day, Dale Fenster also made overtures to buy the business. Jerry and Dale wound up buying it together and ran it as partners for the next 26 years. After the Chappell John Deere dealership closed in 1975, Jerry worked as parts manager at Reed-Merrill, Inc. of Julesburg, Colorado for l3 years.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kay of Chappell; children, Dan (Kathy) Fehringer of Reston, VA, Dale (Patty) Fehringer of San Francisco, CA, Ray (Deb) Fehringer of Omaha, Anne (Buzz) Williams of Lincoln, Ralph (Paula) Fehringer of Denton, NE, John (Eva) Fehringer of Fremont, CA, Joe (Susan) Fehringer of Lincoln, and Ed Fehringer of Colorado Springs, CO; five grandchildren, William, Eric, Micaela and James Fehringer and Ian Williams; his siblings, Sr. Esther Fehringer of Louisville, KY, Louis (Sophia) Fehringer of Helendale, CA, Irwin Fehringer of Sidney, Mary Ann Hungerford of Alameda, CA, Dorothy Treinen of Sidney, Catherine Zach of Salem, OR, George (Janice) Fehringer of Peetz, CO, Marge (John) Huss of Arvada, CO, Sr. Clara Mae Fehringer of Lexington, KY; John "Jack" (Mary Ann) Fehringer of Loveland, CO; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Philomae Smith; and brother, Clem Fehringer.