Jerome W. Posey, 94, of Dell Rapids passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Interment with military rites will be in the Bethania Cemetery, rural Trent. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at Kahler Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com
Jerome William Posey was born on August 21, 1919 at rural Alpena, SD, 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, SD 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 met Lorraine Holien in February of 1949 and they were married on July 12, 1949 in the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jasper, MN. To this union was born four children, 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. He then drove school bus for the Dell Rapids school district, driving handicapped children to the Crippled Children’s School in Sioux Falls.
He was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, a life time member of the American Legion Post #65 serving in many offices, a life time member of the VFW and member of 40 and 8, the Senior Citizens Center where he was instrumental in getting the pool tables installed and served on the Veterans Memorial Park Committee. He and Lorraine were editors of the American Legion Newsletter for 16 years. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, jigsaw puzzles and the Minnesota Twins.
His dedication to his family, his community, and his country was always on his mind. He encouraged respect and honor for the flag and our country. He and Lorraine hosted two company and army reunions in the early 1990’s and thoroughly enjoyed seeing his army buddies again.
Jerome became a resident of the Dells Nursing and Rehab on October 19, 2012.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorraine of Dell Rapids, a daughter, Jolene (Gaylon) Wehde of Crooks, SD; three sons, Burdette “Boone” (Cathleen) Posey of Bruce, Olin (Lynette) Posey of Dell Rapids and Mark (Karen) Posey of Titonka, IA; seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Irma, Vinnie, Elsie and Nellie and his brother, Elton.