Gerald Anderson

Gerald "The Pope" "Jerry" DeWayne Anderson, age 91, of Albia, died on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 surrounded by family at Monroe County Hospital in Albia.

Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 15 , 2022 from 11:00 - 1:00 p.m at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday May 15, 2022 at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia with Pastor Brad Gray officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion of Albia, Melrose, and Lovilia. Interment will be held at a later date in Oak View Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Welcome Home Soldier Monument. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com or the Sinnott Funeral Home Facebook page.

Jerry was born on October 21, 1930 in Mantua Township in Monroe County, Iowa to John W. and Helen K. (Carlton) Anderson. He married Patricia Jean Paris on June 6, 1964 in Milton, Iowa. He lived in Des Moines, California, and most of his life in Albia. He enlisted in the United States Army on August 28, 1951. He did his basic training at Camp Chaffee, AR, and later transferred to Camp Stoneman, CA. He deployed to Korea where he was a Gunner on a 105 Howitzer. While in Korea as a combat soldier, he became a member of Forward Observation Unit behind enemy lines. He was honorably discharged on May 27, 1953 from Camp Carlson, CO. He later entered a 2nd time on June 11, 1959 as a Field Arty & Intel Specialist. He discharged for the final time on November 30, 1959 from fort Knox, KY.

Jerry worked on the family farm in Kansas in his early years during the summers. He worked as a bus driver in Des Moines, for GM Motor Company, and most of his life for John Deere in Ottumwa where he retired in 1987. Jerry also worked as a farmhand for lifelong friend Maurice Sinclair for several years.

He enjoyed farming, and traveling the United States visiting family and friends. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and served in various positions with the legion. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Patricia Anderson of Albia; children, Gary D. Anderson and Pam Wells of Centerville, David C. Anderson of Wisconsin, Jami E. Anderson of Albia, daughter-in-law Robyn Anderson of Albia; grandchildren, Treana (Matthew) Drost of Oskaloosa, Kara Anderson and Bobby McMurray of Albia, J.D. (Kadyn) Anderson of Nevada, Austin Anderson, Keaton Anderson and DeeDee Metigue, Alyssa Anderson and Matt Wetterich of Centerville, Emma Bagley of Albia; great grandchildren, Kyler Drost, Alex Drost, Ryker Anderson, Braxton McMurray, and baby girl Anderson any day. He is also survived by his siblings, Richard Anderson and Margaret Mary Darrah, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Helen K. Anderson; son, Joseph "Joe" Anderson; siblings, Mason, John, Ernest, Lloyd, Harold, and Don Anderson, Evelyn Barker, Virginia Sims, Audrey Post, and Ida Mae Collins.