Jerry Finley

Jerry Lynn Finley of Potosi, Missouri departed this life on April 28, 2011 at St. Johns Hospital having reached the age of fifty seven years and four days. He was born on December 28, 1953 a son to the late Alice Lou Elliott.

In addition to his mother, Jerry was preceded in death by a son Arron Boyer.

Jerry’s true calling was working for the fire department and towing company. Where he wouldn’t admit it but he loved helping people, especially ones in need. Jerry had a good heart along with patience and listening skills. This made him perfect for the job. Jerry seemed to recognize in an emergency situations, when to listen, act or respond to an imperfect world.

Jerry began working for the Potosi Fire Protection District on August 11, 1978. While employed there, he achieved the following: Attaining Firefighter 1 and 2 status in 2001, qualifying to be a First Responder, also in 2001, trained and was certified in Hazardous Material Opps, trained and was certified in Hazardous Materials Awareness, attained safety driving and many other certificates, was employee of the month, he worked as an engineer and volunteered as a firefighter in his time off. He was devoted to his work. He looked after others. Jerry will be truly missed as a person and a firefighter.

Those who remain to mourn his passing are his life long friend Tammy Nickelson of Potosi; son Nathan Finley and wife Trista of Potosi; brother Dennis E. Finely and wife Tammy of Potosi; sister Rose Ann Desmarals; two nephews Elliott Hawkins, Tory Hawkins; three grandchilrdren Kalib Finley, Chloe Finley, Kason Finley; niece Megann Finley of Potosi; loving dog Little Bit; many other relatives and friends who will sadly miss him.

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 11 AM at the DeClue Chapel with Rev. Bobby Brown officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Doug Blanford, Kurt Nickelson, Harvey Price, Dennis E. Finley, Randy Elliott, Larry Hochstatter, Mike Elliott and John Higginbotham.

Just like all good books, they are filled with a story where there is an opening page and closing page and in the middle are sentences and paragraphs and chapters. So is the story of Jerry’s life, God gave him life in the beginning, his story is filled with contacts, and relationships with people, sometimes good and sometimes not so good but it last 57 years.

Interment and final prayers were held at Sunset Hill Cemetery. All arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the DeClue Family Funeral Home.