Jerry Weber Volkman
February 12, 1940 ~ November 18, 2023
Jerry’s life began on February 12, 1940, in Herington. He is the son of Wesley W. and Josephine (Koepke) Volkman. Jerry is a 1958 graduate of Herington High School.
He served his country in the United States Air Force by enlisting in 1959 and, following basic training spent a year on station in Libya and a year in Turkey.
When Jerry returned stateside, he was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. until his honorable discharge in October of 1963.
Jerry was united in marriage to the former Sharon Kay Gunter on October 20, 1962, at the Woodbine United Methodist Church. He returned to railroading in 1963 in Wichita and in 1964, he and Sharon relocated to Woodbine to open a grocery store they operated for eight years.
Jerry continued to railroad out of Herington until his retirement in 1993. He and Sharon also raised cattle for many years. Family and serving the community were at the center of Jerry’s life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. Jerry extended those passions to others by teaching Kansas Hunter Safety courses in Woodbine, Herington, and Caldwell.
He was a 4-H project leader and instructor for Women of the Outdoors. Jerry became a Woodbine City Council member in 1964, retaining that position for 57 years until his resignation in 2021.
Jerry joined the Woodbine Lion’s Club in 1964 and received the International Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in 2021 for his long-time membership and service. He was a member of the Herington Hospital Foundation until December of 2021. Jerry was a member of the Liberty-Woodbine Fire Department, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE) and the American Legion.
He also served on many committees and held offices at the Woodbine United Methodist Church. Jerry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sharon Volkman of Woodbine; his faithful companion Rusty; sons Erich (Chantel) Volkman of Spring Hill, KS, Darrin (Robin) Volkman of Hope, KS, and Chad (Stacy) Volkman of Abilene; grandchildren Caleb Volkman, Marissa Volkman, Justin Volkman, Kyanna Volkman, Slade (Courtney) Volkman and Rylie (Tanner Sanders) Volkman.
Jerry passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Memorial Hospital in Abilene. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Darrel Volkman. His family will gather with friends on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at the Woodbine United Methodist Church, where his funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. He will be laid to rest in Woodbine Cemetery with military honors. Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Herington, is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Jerry’s name may be directed to the Woodbine United Methodist Church or the Woodbine Lion’s Club. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Jerry at www.yazelmeglifh.com.
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