Jerry Voshage

Jerry Lee Voshage, 80, of Jackson passed away Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at Jackson Manor after a courageous eight-year battle with MDS cancer.

He was born Jan. 8, 1935, in Jackson to August H. and Leona Kurre Voshage. Jerry married Violet Marie Allen on May 7, 1954. She preceded him in death Oct. 26, 1967. He later married Patsy Sue Peetz on Nov. 22, 1968. She survives.

Jerry attended St. Paul Lutheran School and Jackson High School. For 17 years he worked on the inland waterways, first as a deckhand and worked his way up to captain, transporting missiles from Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to Cape Canaveral. He then went to work for Procter & Gamble for 25 years, retiring in 1995. Jerry also farmed two Missouri Century Farms, which he and his wife owned.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau and the Missouri Cattleman's Association and NCBA.

Jerry and Patsy loved to travel, visited almost all 50 states and went on many cruises, including several foreign countries. They enjoyed going to state fairs and machinery shows. Jerry also enjoyed dancing.

In 1980, he was awarded outstanding conservation farmer of the year by the Soil and Water Conservation District.

He also is survived by four sons, Ronnie (Carol), Joe (Ruby), David (Karen), all of Jackson, and Douglas R. (Jennifer) of Eureka, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; three stepgranddaughters; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; three sisters; one daughter; and one grandson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home-Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Sam Roethemeyer and Joe R. Rowley officiating. Burial will be at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Diabetes Association or the charity of choice.

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