Jerry W. Eastman

Jerry Wayne Eastman, age 81, of Ogallala, passed away, Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Ogallala Community Hospital, after a fierce battle with dementia.

Jerry was born August 23, 1938 in Callaway, Nebraska, to Newell and Helen (Siel) Eastman.

Jerry, his parents, and his brother, Jim, moved to Ogallala when he was 4 years old. He started school as a kindergartener in the building that is now the public library, graduating from Ogallala High School in 1956, part of a close-knit class that stays in contact with each other to this day.

He attended Doane College briefly, ultimately enlisting in the Army in 1957 and serving in France as a military policeman. After his stint in the service he joined the National Guard and served there until 1963.

Jerry met Shirley (Nee Harrington) and they married August 23, 1959, at the Arthur Baptist Church.

In 1964, the first of their four children were born in Ogallala, with the last arriving in 1968. Jason, Jeryl, Jerod and Jobyna moved with the family to Encampment, Wyoming in 1974 ,and then settled in Hanna, Wyoming, a year and a half later. Jerry proudly worked in the Energy Development and Carbon County Coal Mines, and he collected lanterns and other mine souvenirs of the time.

When the mines closed, the family returned to Ogallala in 1986. Jerry worked for the Ogallala Public Schools as a custodian for 15 years. He worked in every school building including the gym. He retired in 2004. He was also a long standing active member of the Ogallala School Board.

He did not retire for long. He spent the next 10 years working for Nebraska Game and Parks in the maintenance department at Lake McConaughy. When Walmart came to Ogallala, Jerry started there as an associate. Due to health reasons he retired in 2018.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Carolyn Eastman; father and mother-in-law, Vergil and Vera Harrington; brothers-in-law Phil, Jack and Rex Harrington and Charles Moore; and sister-in-law, Ann Eastman.

Jerry is survived by his wife; Shirley Eastman, of Ogallala; 1 brother, Jim Eastman; his children; Jason (Barb) Eastman, of North Platte; Jeryl (Karen Lundquist) Eastman, of Sioux Falls, SD; Jerod (Deanna) Eastman, of Winnemucca, NV; Jobyna (Kurt Kiewel) Eastman, of Charles City, IA; grandchildren; Jeffrey (Andrea) Eastman; Jessica (Austin) Mayo; David (Holly) Eastman; Jacob Johnston; Brandon Eastman; Hudson (Nikki) Johnston; Jadyn Eastman; Alesha Jimenez; Madeline and Maya Roth; Lynn Fast; Heather (Nick) Maxcy; Josh Holmes; Terra (Heath) Zuellner; Landon Holmes; great-grandchildren; Mykah and Marly Eastman; Parker Eastman; Sawyer Mayo; Madison Hansen; Jaleigh Hansen; Thaniel Stewart; Kale Martinez; Bentley Lathrop; Eli Maxcy; Silas Holmes; Xylli Holmes; Payden and Ryker Zuellner; sisters-in-law; Wanda Moore; Joan (Bob) Nelson; Coleen Harrington; Barb Harrington; Marge Harrington; brothers-in law; Max (Joyce) Harrington; Bill (Sally) Harrington. He will be greatly missed by many other nieces, nephews and countless friends.

A register book signing will be held, Thursday, October 3, 2019 in the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 4, 2019 from the New Hope Church with Rev. Curtis Tschetter officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the Keith County Honor Guard.

The family chose cremation.

Memorials are suggested to the Ogallala Public Schools Foundation and Grace Point Church.

Online condolences may be left by signing the Guest Book at www.drauckerfuneralhome.com. The service will be live streamed.

Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.