Jerald Massey

Jerald D. Massey, 99 of Tipton, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died at 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Tipton.  Jerald was born in Jasper County, Illinois on October 23, 1918 to Frederick & Stella (Brown) Massey.  He married Marjorie R. Moeller on May 25, 1946 and she preceded him in death on August 30, 2014 after 68 years of marriage.

Jerald retired as the Inventory Control Manager for the Eastern Division of Pioneer Hi-Bred after almost 40 years of service.  He was a 70-year member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tipton where he served on boards and attended regularly.  He was a member of the American Legion.  Jerald was an avid reader and loved gardening, providing a lot of food for his family.  During their retirement he and Marge enjoyed bird watching.  He played video poker and solitaire on his computer well into his 90’s.

Jerald enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and served with distinction in New Guinea from April 22, 1942 to December 28, 1944.  He was awarded both the Silver and Bronze Stars for valor; 3 Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbons and the Combat Infantryman Badge.  He was honorably discharged from the Army on August 31, 1945.  Jerald was awarded a second Bronze Star for his distinguished service on Veteran’s Day in 2003.

Jerald was preceded in death by four brothers, Claude, Wayne, Larry and Myrel and one sister, Velora (Massey) Derickson.  All five Massey brothers and their brother-in-law, Loren Derickson, served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII and survived the war.  Velora served in the civil service during the war.

Jerald is survived by his four children, J. David Massey and wife Lynn, Litchfield Park, Arizona, Katheryn Ireland and husband Dr. Philip, Indianapolis, Marsha Martin and husband John, Tipton and Julianne Haller and husband Gordon, Boise, Idaho.

Marge and Jerald were also blessed with nine grandchildren, Meredith McGuire and husband Matt, Abigail Weidner and husband Kevin, Trad Ireland, Kyle Ireland and wife Kelsey, John Martin and wife Megan, Jerald Cody Martin and fiancé Kelly Totleben, Matt Haller and wife Katie, Drew Haller and wife Allie, Kaitlyn Shuey and husband Jason.  Jerald was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren, Gavin, Owen, Evelyn, Izzy, Teddy, Charlie, Michael, Aubry, Elijah, Lily and Oliver.

Funeral services for Jerald will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 13 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 1395 S. Main Street, Tipton, with Rev. Dr. Robb Roloff presiding.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 1:00 until the time of the service.  Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions in Jerald’s honor may be made to Worship Anew, a program that brings worship to shut-ins, at 5 Martin Luther Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46825 or www.worshipanew.org/donate.