Jerry McMillen

Jerry Lee McMillen, 80 of Altoona, IA passed away at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA on January 11, 2018, after an 8 month battle with esophageal cancer. He was born March 20, 1937, in Knoxville, IA and was the oldest child of Worth & LaVerne McMillen, now deceased.

Jerry attended Knoxville, IA area schools. He worked at the VA Hospital as an orderly and Golf & Nash parts store in Knoxville for many years. He also owned Jerry's Engine Repair Shop.

He served with Iowa Army National Guard from 1956 – 1973, and from 1973 – 1997 with the Army National Guard serving in MD, USVI, and VA, retiring as a CWO 4 in Spring 1997. In the summer of 1995 he took a job at the Iowa State Fairgrounds working security for the fair. In 1996 he went to work in the maintenance department and after retirement from the Army, went to work full time with the fair until he retired again 2016.

Jerry married Roberta J. Brubaker on March 10, 1956, and remained with her until her death April 30, 2005. They had 3 children and were the guardians of Jasmin Giles. He & Roberta loved traveling in their RV & camping at the Iowa State Fair. He was a collector of antique cars and was a member of The Plymouth Club of Iowa. He showed his cars at many exhibits. He was a coin collector and a coin dealer. He liked working in his flower garden, his vegetable garden and in his garage. He was always busy.

Jerry is survived by his children, Judith (Rusty) Roach of Washington, PA, James (Kathy) McMillen of Edgewood, MD, and Sue Carrington of Altoona, IA; 6 grandchildren, Heather (Shawn) Buckels of West Alexander, PA, Michaela (Chris) Baker of Clinton, MS, Brent Steele of Washington, PA, Veda Harris of North Canton, OH, James L. McMillen Jr. of MD, and Mallissa Carrington of BelAir, MD; 15 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Sirochman, Courtney Fields, Christopher Baker, Abigail Baker, Levi Baker, Michael Baker, Grayson Baker, Willow Baker, Jacob Buckels, Emma Buckels, Logan McMillen, Faith Steele, Michael Steele, Angela Haun, and Paige Smiley; 3 great great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Connie Rae (Quinton) Douthit of Mineral Wells, TX and Kelly Linn (Marilyn) McMillen of Melcher, IA. He was an Uncle to many nieces and nephews and their families, and a friend to many in the community.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Billy Dee McMillen and Carrie Kae Stevens.

At the request of the deceased there will be no public visitation or interment. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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