Jerry Van Meter, 83
Jerry Van Meter, 83, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was born in Guthrie, Okla., on Feb. 13, 1926, to Earl and Edna (Goodnight) Van Meter. Jerry received his early education in Guthrie, graduating from high school there.
He joined the U.S. Navy on March 1, 1944, but due to an injury separated on May 5, 1945. Returning to Oklahoma, Jerry worked on his grandfather's ranch. He was one of the real cowboys. As a challenge he made a long-distance ride from Oklahoma to Hollywood, Calif.
Jerry traveled from California to Colorado where he worked on a dude ranch. During that time he met and married Mary Lou Berry. Jerry began working as a contract underground miner, a profession that he loved and took him all over the western United States.
On March 25, 1978, Jerry married Hazel Joyce in Lyman, Wyo., while he was working at a Trona Mine. Together they enjoyed fishing and rock hounding. Often Jerry could be found sitting in his chair and reading the latest copy of a Louis L'Amour Western novel. Hazel and Jerry split their time between Kalispell and Bullhead City until Jerry's health started to deteriorate. In 1980 they made Kalispell their permanent home.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel.
He is survived by two sons, Donald and David Van Meter; two daughters, Linda Van Meter and Sandra Muro; two stepsons, Deni Joyce of Dixon, and David Joyce and wife Kathy, of Crookston, Minn.; and five stepdaughters, Jan Joyce and Paula Anderson, both of Kalispell; Jewel Bond of Vernal, Utah, Patty Pagan and husband, Chris, of Ladysmith, British Columbia, and Carol Denny and husband, Virgil, of Hayden, Idaho; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and four brothers, James, William, David and Byron.
Funeral services for Jerry will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel with Pastor Darrell Newby officiating. Burial will be in the Glacier Memorial Gardens. Family and friends are invited to a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eagles in Kalispell.
The family suggests memorials gifts to the veterans organization of the donor's choice.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Jerry's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Jerry's guest book.