Jerrel Busey

Jerrel Earl Busey, 78, of Jackson died Monday, Feb. 17, 2014.

He was born Sept. 18, 1935, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Alfred and Opal Vokes Busey. He and Patricia Griffith were married May 19, 1957, in Waterloo.

Jerrel served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was an ME2.

He was the founder of Busey Truck Equipment in Jackson. He had an extensive background serving his customers in truck mounted cranes and equipment throughout the United States more than 50 years. He was known for his honesty and his colorful sense of humor.

He did volunteer service work in Wappapello, Mo., at the nutrition center and was a board member of Wappapello Volunteer Fire Department, raising funds for equipment. He was an active member of Wappapello VFW Post 3416, and also called bingo there.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia B. Busey of Jackson; two daughters, DeeAnn (Rick) Beine and Becki (John) Gray; two sons, A.J. (Kathee) Busey and John (Pam) Busey of Jackson; two sisters, Lavon Griffith of Wappapello, Marion (Ken) Harrelson of Mountain Home, Ark.; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dave Isreal of New McKendree United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.

Online condolences may be made at cracraftmiller.com.