Jerry Leon Secrist, 85, of rural Mentone, passed at 4:26 pm, Friday, June 16, 2023 at his residence.
Jerry was born on Aug. 19, 1937 in Warsaw, Indiana to the late Glenn Everett and Alice Mae (Ellsworth) Secrist. He married on Sept. 24, 1988 to Mary Walker Bulick, she survives.
He was a 1956 graduate of Mentone High School. Jerry was a contractor and was the original owner of Secrist Builders. He then owned and operated Niff-Tone of Mentone since 1975, retiring 8 years ago. Together with his wife they started a food pantry for the community in 1988. Mary and Jerry’s Helping Hands have been helping families in the Mentone area for over 35 years.
Jerry was a longtime member of the Mentone United Methodist Church and previously attended the Baptist Church of Mentone and the United Methodist Church of Burket. He was an active member of the Mentone Lions Club, Mentone Kiwanis Club, and was a sponsor for the KEY Club. He also was a past president of the Mentone Chamber of Commerce and on the Kosciusko County Fair Board for 10 years. He served his community as a Mentone Town Deputy, a volunteer fireman, and drove the ambulance.
In years past, he was very active with the Mentone Youth League. He assisted in construction at the ballpark. He also coached baseball as well as basketball for over 25 years at both Mentone Elementary and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School. He attended every football and basketball game at Tippecanoe Valley. He could be seen sitting on the end of the gym or leaning on the fence at the games cheering on the Vikings.
He is survived by his wife Mary Secrist of Mentone; children Jeff Secrist of North Manchester, Jay and wife Kimberly Secrist of Warsaw, Joe and wife Lisa Secrist of Mentone, Troy and wife Brandi Bulick of Markle, and Jamie Bulick of New Jersey; 8 Grandchildren, a Great Grandson; sisters Ellen Elliott of Bourbon and Serita Workman King of Bourbon; and brothers Larry and wife Jean Secrist of Columbia City and Steve Secrist of Warsaw.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Ronald Secrist, and a sister Glenda McFarland.
The funeral service will take place at 11:30 am, Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at King Memorial Home 101 North Tucker Street Mentone, Indiana with Pastor Emily Gearhart officiating.
The interment will take place following the funeral service in the Mentone Cemetery, Mentone, Indiana.
Visitation hours will be held from 3 pm to 7 pm, Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at King Memorial Home, Mentone, Indiana.
Memorial contributions can be made in Jerry's memory to the Jerry Secrist Memorial Scholarship Fund being held at Lake City Bank.
