Gerald Elmer Conley “Jerry” of rural Tiffin has entered into eternal peace with our Heavenly Father on Saturday morning, April 15, 2017. Jerry’s courageous battle with pancreatic cancer ended at Bridge Hospice (Bowling Green, Ohio).

 His devotion to his family, church and friends; along with his everlasting and enduring faith supported him in his final journey to peace. Jerry was born on August 31, 1938 in Belvidere, IL to the late Elmer and Iva (Georgeson) Conley.

In addition to being survived by his wife, Jeanette, Jerry had two daughters; Jennifer (Frank) Martinez of Tiffin and Maryann (Kevin Putman) Shahade of Worthington, 5 grandchildren; Sarah Lynn (Anthony) Shumick of Clintonville, Alexandria Christine Shahade of Worthington, Caleb Conley Vrancken of Air Force Academy, CO. Audrey Kathryn Vrancken of Westerville and Jacob Arthur Vrancken of Tiffin. Jerry also has one great-granddaughter who quickly became his joy and light; Conley Jane Shumick of Clintonville. Jerry is also survived by his loving sister, Sharyn Conley of Poplar Grove, IL, Sister-in-Law, Rosemary Palmer of Poplar Grove, IL,  Nieces and nephews Robyn Robbins, Jon Robbins, Mary Fleck, Angus Palmer, Hugh Palmer, grand-nephew Nicolas Robbins, grand-niece Emily LeGrand, grand nephews Lafe & Sawyer Fleck.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, baby brother Howard Conley, nephew Jed R Robbins and brother-in-law Howard Palmer.

Jerry grew up on a farm in rural Poplar Grove, IL where he and his sister, Sharyn, were avid 4-H’ers, raising dairy cattle, ponies and quarter horses. He was an active member of FFA/4-H, active in Boy’s State & Young Republicans. What began as daily farm chores lead him to a career into his life’s passion with dairy cattle. He graduated from North Boone High School in Poplar Grove, IL where he met his lifelong sweetheart, Jeanette C. File. Jerry attended Iowa State, University of Platteville, Wisconsin and “Mizzou” in Columbia, MO where he earned an MS in Animal Husbandry/Dairy Science with a minor in Animal Nutrition. On September 2, 1961; he married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Christine File and following completion of his MS, he moved his family to Tiffin, Ohio to begin his career at “the Bull Farm”/NOBA, Inc. He was a herd analyst and instrumental in acquisition of many successful bulls for NOBA, ultimately becoming National Sales Director. Jerry was a highly respected Dairy Judge across Ohio and also judged across the United States at many county and state fairs/dairy shows.  He was a Tiffin Jaycee and was selected “Tiffin’s Man of the Year” and lead a “Rub Out Rubella” campaign for Seneca County. Jerry was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Tiffin , Ohio for 45 years where he was a choir member and served on church council a number of times; completing his final term as Council President 2015-2016. Jerry was also a real estate investor, founded the Tiffin Area Real Estate Investors Association, and served at Executive Director for the Ohio Real Estate Investor Association following his career at NOBA.

 Jerry will be dearly missed by many fine friends locally in Tiffin and across the country. He always had a warm smile and endearing wit and certainly enjoyed getting a “bite to eat” out with friends on Friday nights.

The Conley Family wishes to thank his prayerful church friends, Pastor Bailey, Drs’ Bosse, Polder, Jacobus, Dawley, Olmstead, Lutz & Liu, Blanchard Valley Hospital & Bridge Hospice, Armes Cancer Center. 

Visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from 5-8 PM at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH 44883, 419-447-2424.

His funeral service will be Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 10:30 AM at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Clayton J. Bailey officiating.  Burial will follow in Rock Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Jerry wished to have memorial contributions to First Lutheran Church, Tiffin Christian Counseling Center, Bridge Hospice, Heidelberg University/Tiffin University or donor’s choice.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com