Jerome W. Posey, 94, of Dell Rapids passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center.
Funeral services were Wednesday, March 19 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Interment with military rites was in the Bethania Cemetery, rural Trent. A prayer service was held on Tuesday, March 18 at Kahler Funeral Home. To leave condolences please visit www.kahlerfh.com.
Jerome William Posey was born on Aug. 21, 1919 at rural Alpena the son of Jesse and Flora Posey. He grew up and attended school in Alpena. He farmed with his parents for a while and then moved to Sherman and worked as a farm hand until March of 1941 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
He served in the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippine Islands serving with the 160th infantry 40th Division Company E. His service of four years ended when wounded in battle and he was honorably discharged in July of 1945. He received the Purple Heart. In 1985, he received the Bronze Star Medal for Achievement in ground combat in the Asiatic – Pacific Theater of Operations.
He worked on the railroad and in 1947, he began working with his brother, Elton, as a farm laborer, carpenter and other jobs. He married Lorraine Holien on July 12, 1949 in the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jasper, Minn. To this union four children were born: Jolene, Burdette, Olin and Mark. The family lived near Alpena, Canton and Jasper before moving into Dell Rapids in 1963.
Jerome worked at Conoco gas station and later owned and operated Champlin Gas Station. He worked with the Minnehaha Co-op Oil until his retirement in 1981. He then helped his brother, Elton, in various carpentry jobs and drove school bus for the Dell Rapids School District.
He was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, the American Legion Post #65 and the VFW Post #10632. He was a member of the DAV Chapter #1 and the 40 & 8 Post #129.
Jerome became a resident of the Dells Nursing and Rehab on Oct. 19, 2012.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Irma, Vinnie, Elsie and Nellie; and his brother, Elton.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorraine of Dell Rapids; a daughter, Jolene (Gaylon) Wehde of Crooks; three sons, Burdette “Boone” (Cathleen) Posey of Bruce, Olin (Lynette) Posey of Dell Rapids and Mark (Karen) Posey of Titonka, Iowa; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.