Gerald Jerry Ring

It is with great sadness we share the passing of our patriarch of our family, Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Ring. Jerry passed away at Barnes Jewish Hospital on Tuesday, April 3, 2025. He was 84 years old. He was born on August 8, 1940 in Centralia, Illinois to Harold and Leona Ring. He married the love of his life, Darline Bierman Ring on August 23, 1958 at the Faith Methodist Church in Centralia. They shared a wonderful life of 67 years loving their children, grandchildren, and great-grand children, traveling, antique shopping, camping and dancing. Jerry leaves behind his devoted wife, Darline; beloved daughters and sons, Jerri Kay Sprehe and husband Doug and Jana Rae Johnson and husband Terry; his precious grandchildren, Emily and Chris Rader, Janelle and Jon Snyder and Mackenzie and Dylan Felgenhauer; his precious great-grandchildren, Avett Snyder, Henry Rader and Sutton Felgenhauer; sisters, Karen Petrea and Ranae Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Leona Ring, brother Gailard Ring and wife Dana, and brother in law Billy Petrea. Darline’s parents, Elmer & Clara Bierman, and his brother in law, Dale Bierman and wife Shirley. Jerry lived his whole life in Centralia except during his service in the US Navy. At that time, he and his wife, Darline, lived in Honolulu, Hawaii. They returned home to Centralia and after moving four times, they settled in to a home that Jerry built with the help of two carpenters, on land that was given to him by her parents. He worked many part time jobs including drilling rigs in oil fields, truck driver, Mertz, Bob Michaels construction, working at Centralia Railroad Shops for four years. He then was employed at Centralia Post Office for over 45 years before retiring in 2009. From the age of 24, Jerry made lifelong friends at the Post Office. He held many different jobs, and retired at the age of 69. Jerry attended Washington Brick, Washington and Schiller grade schools and Centralia High School. He had some classes at Kaskaskia College and received his GED while serving in the US Navy. Jerry loved western movies, country music, mowing his lawn, camping, fishing and hunting. Jerry was a member of Faith United Methodist church, Demaree Methodist church, and presently attended Calumet Christian Street Church. In the past he was a church van driver, and he organized a yearly apple butter cookout, along with his wife and others. Jerry was the first one to arrive at 5am to start the fires for the apple butter. Darline and Jerry volunteered on two mission trips with their church to Mexico & Louisiana. They helped rebuild a home and a church. He was a member of NAFTS, and he and Darline attended conventions every year with life long Navy friends. He was also a member of the American Legion. Through the years he was a member of the Raccoon Ramblers camping club. They also were members of the Centralia Squares, Boot-kickers line dancing, and ball room dancing group. Jerry was a natural on the dance floor, and he also loved to sing. He knew the lyrics to most church hymns & country music songs. Jerry and Darline Ring traveled to most of the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii. They loved shopping antiques while they traveled. Funeral services for Jerry will be held Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. A visitation will be held from 1:00pm until the time of services at the funeral home. Pastor Anthony Sweeney will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia with Military Honors accorded at the gravesite by the Centralia, American Legion Post 446 and Centralia VFW Post 2055. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be in Jerry’s honor to the Calumet Street Christian Church and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Jerry's Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.

Gerald Jerry Ring

August 8, 1940 - April 3, 2025