Jerry FitzGerald

Gerald "Jerry" J. FitzGerald, 82, of Beattie, KS, died Friday, November 4, 2011 at the Frankfort Community Care Home. A rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at St. Malachy's Catholic Church in Beattie. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 7, at the church. Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated. Cindy Voet played the organ while Ron and Fran Grauer sang “Be Not Afraid”, “Precious Lord Take My Hand”, “On Eagles Wings”, “You Are Mine” and "How Great Thou Art.” The pallbearers were Russ FitzGerald, Jeremy FitzGerald, Andy Koch, Andy Chaves, Rob Smith and Tim Hill. Burial was in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Beattie. Jerry was born on November 14, 1928, at Frankfort, KS, the son of James Cosmos and Erma (Boggs) FitzGerald. He attended school at Frankfort and Beattie graduating in 1946. After graduation he worked as a truck driver for both Studer Truck Line and Smart Truck Line in Beattie. In 1950 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed 14 months in Germany. On July 3, 1951 he married LaVada Hill at St. Gregory's Rectory in Marysville. After returning to Beattie he worked as a truck driver and later worked as a dozer operator and farmer. Jerry owned and operated FitzGerald Custom Harvesting and Bulldozing for 34 years. He was a member of the Beattie American Legion, Farmers Union Coop and St. Malachy's Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting coyotes, raccoons and watching his grandchildrens activities. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kirby FitzGerald in 1987; and brother, Greg FitzGerald. Survivors include his wife, LaVada; daughter, Coleen (David) Koch, Summerfield, KS; son, Kelly (Sue) FitzGerald, Home, KS; three sisters, JoAnn Kestner, Colorado Springs, CO, Frances Eileen Martin, Columbia, MO, and Sharon (Chuck) Mathews, Erie, KS; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerry FitzGerald, please visit our flower store.