Jerry Deardorff

JACKSON, Mo. -- Gerald L. "Jerry" Deardorff, 66, of Jackson died Thursday, July 25, 2002, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 14, 1936, at Hale, Mo., son of Willard and Frances Deardorff. He and Betty Kelpe Dreyer were married Dec. 26, 1986, in Cape Girardeau.

Deardorff was a graduate of Chillicothe High School, received a bachelor of science degree from Kirksville State Teachers College, a master of science in education from Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, and a specialist degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

He taught history from 1964 to 1971, and from 1971 to 1975 was high school principal at Livingston County R-1. He was superintendent of Meadville R-IV Schools from 1976 to 1982, and of Polo R-VI Schools in 1983.

Deardorff was director of Five County Special Education Co-Op at Maysville, Mo., from 1983 to 1984. He was superintendent of Marquand-Zion R-VI Schools from 1984 to 1996, of Meadow Heights R-II School District from 1996 to 1999, and was the first principal of Saxony Lutheran High School in Cape Girardeau for the 2000-2001 school year.

He was a member, elder, board member, and executive director at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Deardorff was a member of Missouri Association of School Administrators in Southeast Missouri, Southeast Missouri Superintendents Organization, Missouri University Alumni Association, and Missouri Leadership Academy.

He was a past member of Evening Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau, Missouri State Teachers Association, Missouri Historical Society, Missouri Archaeological Society, High School Principals Association, Lions Club, American Legion, Jaycees, and Ducks Unlimited.

Deardroff served in the U.S. Air Force from September 1955 to August 1959.

Survivors include his wife; five children, Bradley Dreyer of Washington, Ark., Brian Dreyer of Perryville, Mo., Marla Hamlin of Chesterfield, Mo., Laura Teague of Maryland Heights, Mo., Kristen Myers of St. Peters, Mo.; a brother, Donald Deardorff of Avalon, Mo.; a sister, Dorothy Canote of Harrisburg, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating. Burial will be in Hanover Lutheran Cemetery, with military rites conducted by Missouri Military Honor Guard.