Gerald "Jerry" Harpenau

Gerald “Jerry” Harpenau, 80, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born November 13, 1944, at the family farm on Avery Ridge Road to the late Albert and Esther (Boehm) Harpenau. He was united in marriage to Juanita M. Waterbury on September 21, 1968, and they shared 54 wonderful years together before her passing in 2023.

Jerry was a 1962 graduate of Tell City High School and went on the graduate from ITT Technical College with an associate degree in electrical maintenance. He also served our country by joining the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Jerry was an electrician at Century Aluminum, where he retired after many years of dedicated service. He and Juanita also owned a catering business, Harpenau Catering, for over 20 years and were well known for their famous chicken.

He was a member of St. Pius Catholic Church and a volunteer firefighter for the Troy Fire Department. Jerry loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He took great pride in his yard and had a love of John Deere tractors. He enjoyed farming, tinkering in his garage, and the springtime spent on the farm on Avery Ridge.

Surviving are his children, Lisa (John) Wade and Kevin (Ginger) Harpenau; grandchildren, Alexa Martin, Koert (Emily) Morris, Spencer (Haven) and Shelby (Chase) Harpenau, Breeanna (Reece) Persinger; step-grandchildren, Tyler Simpson, Lindsey Wade, and Tori Whittaker; and step-great-grandchildren, Liam and Quinn Whittaker.

In addition to his parents Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Harpenau and his brothers, Robert “Bob”, Harvey, Vernie, and Stanley Harpenau.

Services will be at 10am Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Zoercher-Gillick Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Tell City.

Visitation will be from 3pm to 7pm on Friday, December 6, 2024, and from 9am until service time on Saturday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors or American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be left at zoercher-gillickfuneralhome.com

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