Jerold “Jerry” Wayne Spohn, Sr

Jerold "Jerry" Wayne Spohn Sr. (Abilene, Kansas) died on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the age of 81.

He was born on April 19, 1943, in Hillsboro, Kansas, son of Jonah and ElDora Mohn Spohn. As a young boy, Jerry contracted polio and spent three months in an area hospital fighting off the illness and learning to walk again. The lingering effects of polio had lifelong effects on Jerry, but he was determined to never let them slow him down. The oldest of three boys, Jerry, stayed busy with the daily chores of the family farm and was active in the local 4-H club.

Jerry attended a one room school house until 8th grade and completed high school at Tampa High School graduating in 1961. After graduating high school, Jerry continued his education at Emporia State University.

Jerry graduated from Emporia State University in 1966 with a degree in education and taught several years before he opened his own auto repair shop in White City that he owned and operated for a few years. Jerry found work at Barber Construction and continued his career there for 25 years before retirement.

While attending ESU, Jerry met Jill (Cooper) Spohn, and the two married December 20, 1965. After a few years of marriage, the couple settled in White City, Kansas, where they grew their family and raised 6 children - 3 boys and 3 girls. They were married for 57 years before Jill died and would often celebrate their anniversary by taking the children Christmas shopping and stopping at Pizza Hut for dinner. They moved to the house on Garfield Street in 1982 and lived there for the next 36 years.

Jerry's children grew up watching him always tinkering on something in his workshop and learned from an early age how to hammer and saw. They spent hours playing in the treehouse that Jerry built for them and each summer would help to plant and harvest the family's garden with guidance from their dad. Jerry was instrumental in helping his children with their 4-H projects and attended many county and state fairs to support them in their achievements.

Grandchildren were a joy for Jerry. He would entertain them with stories and enjoyed working with his grandchildren in his workshop. Many grandchildren completed 4-H woodworking projects or learned to use power tools under the watchful eye of their grandfather. The last few years when grandchildren would visit, Jerry would challenge them to Nintendo games and got a kick out of watching them play.

In 2019, Jerry and Jill moved to the Chapman/Abilene area. During these last few years, Jerry assumed caretaking duties for Jill as she began to decline due to Alzheimer's. After Jill was no longer able to remain in the home, Jerry filled his time by becoming the resident handyman for the assisted living home where he lived. Jerry could be found puttering around the small garden of plants or putting together small projects the staff would find for him.

Jerry is survived by his six children: Jerold Spohn Jr. (Reva), Bryon Spohn, Michael Spohn (Erin), Barbara Boggs (Matt), Jennifer Hickman (Daniel), and Susan Monnier (Mark). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Jayme Raynor (Trey), Kaitlyn Siewert, Morgan Wolf, Jamie & Evan Boggs, Issac & Samuel Monnier, and Joseph & Anabel Hickman, and 1 great-grandchild: Amaya Raynor.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Jill and his parents Jonah and ElDora Spohn.

A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later date. Following the service, a reception will be held at the White City Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider making charitable donations to the Kansas 4-H Foundation: Rock Springs Ranch, an organization and place that has long been a part of the Spohn family history.