Gerald J. “Jerry” Sleigher, Sr., 82, of Kissinger Mills, went on to be with our Lord and Savior early Saturday morning, April 22, 2023.
He was born on August 18, 1940 in East Butler. He was the son of the late James C. and Loretta C. (Lewis) Sleigher.
Jerry married the love of his life, Lerretta C. Johns, on September 7, 1963, who survives. They were married for 59 years and 7 months. Mr. Sleigher worked for many coal companies over the years and retired from C&K Coal Company/RFI after 35 years of service. He was a member of the St. Richard’s Roman Catholic Church in Rimersburg. One of Jerry’s favorite pastimes was going for car rides around the horn viewing deer, turkeys, and bears in their natural habitat. He enjoyed boating, camping, and fishing and was an avid hunter. Jerry also loved spending time with his family and his dog, Lucky.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his 4 children, Jacqueline (Sleigher) Myers and her husband, Michael, of Lawton, Oklahoma, Gerald Sleigher, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly, of Rimersburg, Kimberly (Sleigher) Switzer and her husband, Rick, of Sligo, and Madonna (Sleigher) Harnish and her husband, Randy, of Parker; 8 grandchildren, Alicia (Myers) Webster and husband, Arthur, of Cache, Oklahoma, Michelle (Myers) Williams and her husband, Robbie, of Fort Worth, Texas, Gerald Sleigher, III and his fiancée, Ashley, of Lickingville, Clarissa (Sleigher) Unger and her husband, Jake, of Templeton, Bret Switzer and his wife, Katie, of Sligo, Trent Switzer and his wife, Amanda, of Strattanville, Megan (Harnish) Stanford and her husband, Larry, of New Bethlehem, and Marley Harnish and her fiancé, Logan, of Marienville, and 22 great-grandchildren. Mr. Sleigher is also survived by 3 brothers, Regis F. Sleigher, Nicholas L. Sleigher and wife, Sandra, and Donald L. Sleigher and wife, Deborah, all of Kissinger Mills and 3 sisters, Shelby J. King of Kissinger Mills, Norma J. Yori and husband, Richard, of Rimersburg, and Marylou Himes and husband, Lanny, of Rimersburg; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis Sleigher and his brother, James H. Sleigher.
Family and friends will be received from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the Burns Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc. in Rimersburg. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in the funeral home with Rev. Samuel Bungo presiding. Interment will take place in the Saint Eusebius Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.rvburnsfuneralhome.com