Stravers, Gerald 1926-2006

STRAVERS, VOS, MEYER, ZISHKA

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 12/1/2006 at 20:14:31

Gerald (Jerry) Stravers was born on February 13, 1926, near Galesburg, Iowa. He was the fourth of six children that were born to the late John J. and Sarah (Vos) Stravers. His early education was at the Elk Creek Township Country School in Galesburg. Jerry graduated from Pella High School in Pella, Iowa on May 25, 1944.

Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps that year and served the remainder of that year and during 1945 and was honorably discharged on November 10, 1945. Following his discharge Jerry enrolled at Central College in Pella.

While attending Central College Jerry met Lucille Helen Meyer, a daughter of the late Lubert and Lena (Zishka ) Meyer. They were united in marriage on June 2, 1948, in Everly, Iowa and to this union three children were born: Randall Craig, Linda Beth and Jean LuAnn.

Following his graduation from Central College on June 6, 1949, with his degree in Business Administration, Jerry was employed in the office of the Rolscreen Company in Pella until August 1961. Jerry then joined his brother, Tony Stravers, in Stravers True Value Hardware from which he retired in April 1990.

Jerry served as a member and board member of several organizations during his business career. He was a member of Kiwanis International for over forty years, and for the past several years was an active member of Gideons International. In 1995 Jerry became a charter member of the Pella Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

Jerry passed away on Sunday morning, October 8, 2006, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 80 years, seven months and 25 days.

Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Lucille (Lucy); their three children and their husbands, nine grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law and one great-granddaughter.

Of his original family Jerry leaves the following brothers and sisters-in-law: Joe and Pearl Stravers, Dick and Ruth Stravers all of Holland, Michigan; his sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Jim Monsma of Medford, Massachusetts; and his sisters-in-law: Jennie (Gilbert) Stravers of Sully, Iowa and Evie (Anthony) Stravers of Pella. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Sarah Stravers; two brothers: Gilbert and Anthony (Tony) Stravers; and his parents-in-law, Lubert and Lena Meyer.

Jerry made profession of his faith in Jesus Christ at the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella. At the time of his death he was a charter member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella where he had served several terms as an Elder.

Jerry found pleasure in playing pool, doing crossword puzzles and computer games.

For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa or for Gideons International.

The Pella Chronicle, October 20, 2006