Rev. Jerry L. White

Reverend Jerry Lee White passed away on Feb. 13, 2025, at his residence in Clearview Homes in Mount Ayr. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 3, at the United Methodist Church in Creston. Light refreshments and socializing will follow in the church basement.

If you wish to contribute, a memorial fund has been established to the United Methodist Church in Creston. Memories may be shared at www.armstrongfh.com.

Jerry was born May 31, 1937, to Asa and Edith (Gibbs) White in Petersburg. He grew up in Greeley and graduated from high school in 1956. Jerry had two half-siblings, Blaine and Averill and a stepsister, Sandy.

Growing up, Jerry’s hard work and love for sports made him a standout basketball and baseball player for Greeley. After graduation, he attended Simpson College in Indianola, where he met Beverly. They married in December 1959 and he graduated from Simpson in 1960. From there, he went on to Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque. While attending Seminary, he served as a student pastor for multiple churches in Wisconsin for three years. Upon graduating from Dubuque, Jerry and Beverly moved to the Minnesota Conference to serve churches all over the state for 25 years until his retirement in 1998.

After retiring, Jerry and Bev moved back to their roots and settled in Creston. He continued to serve churches around Creston for the next 15-plus years in some capacity, such as filling in for vacationing pastors or temporary assignments until vacancies could be filled. He enjoyed serving the Lord more than his sports and it showed with his passion for spreading the gospel and fellowship with his parishioners and friends.

Although religion was his passion, Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball and the Chicago Cubs were the sports teams he followed religiously. He also was an avid golfer and bowler, and he never turned down an opportunity to go fishing. In his younger days he also played softball and basketball. As a sports enthusiast, he was extremely proud of his granddaughters and their accomplishments playing collegiate lacrosse.

He loved his family even more than sports and recently celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife Beverly. Although miles apart, he remained extremely close with his sister, his children and their families.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Asa and Edith White; his stepsister, Sandy Cartigny; brother, Blaine Dunblazier and his daughter, Teresa Shanks.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Beverly White; his son, Todd (Sheila); sister, Averill (Don) Knapp; two grandchildren, Olivia White and Marleigh White; nieces and nephews.