Jerry Mann

Jerry Charles Mann, 80, of McClure, Illinois, died Friday, April 12, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 21, 1944, in Bell City to Charles H. and Clodina Mary Pruitt Mann.

Jerry joined the U.S. Army in July 1961, right after high school in Fort Hood, Texas. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for basic training and supply school training. In January 1962, Jerry was stationed in Thule, Greenland, for one year. He stepped off the plane into Greenland with the temperature being -46 degrees and in his own words, “He still hasn’t warmed up.” While in Thule, Greenland, Jerry was a supply clerk, and he was a supply sergeant when he returned back to Fort Leonard Wood. Again, “he still hasn’t ever warmed up.”

While still serving in the Army, Jerry married Ruth Ann Edwards in June 1963 and left the Army in 1964. After serving in the Army, he worked as a route salesman for a couple companies, before enrolling in the Illinois State Police Academy. Jerry joined the Illinois State Police in 1968 and retired as sergeant in 1993, at the age of 47.

Jerry spent most of his retired time at Mann Auto Body in McClure, owned by his son Scott, building his own street rods. Jerry built six beautiful street rods. Jerry and Ruth entered several local and out-of-state car shows throughout the years and also went to several cruise in’s, receiving many awards, trophies and compliments on his cars. Jerry was also a member of River City Rodder’s Car Club, which Missouri Veterans Home has recently received a donation from.

Survivors include son, Scott (Connie) Mann of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Michelle (Shawn) Hinkle of Cape Girardeau; grandchild, Kylie "Sugar" Hinkle of Cape Girardeau; two stepgrandchildren, Jill (Nic) Labbee of House Springs and Jeremy (Kara) Franklin of Cape Girardeau; four great-stepgrandchildren, Emma and Lucas Labbee of House Springs and Brayden and Eli Franklin of Cape Girardeau; niece, Lisa Hammond; two nephews, Todd Shirley and Terry Shirley; numerous other nieces and nephews; and three brothers-in-law, Roger (Sandy) Edwards of Dexter, Oscar (Vicki) Talmage of Dexter and Johnnie Shirley of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by wife; his parents; sister, Brenda Shirley; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Wayne) Cagle; and father and mother in-law, Lloyd and Opal Edwards.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Diabetes Association or St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.