Gerald Wayne Laffoon

A memorial service for Jerry Laffoon, 75, of Newton, will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Pence-

Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Gerald Wayne “Jerry” Laffoon, the son of Warren and Margaret Swank Laffoon, was born Aug. 28, 1944, in Newton. He attended the Newton Community Schools until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he acquired his GED. Following his military commitment, Jerry joined the Maytag Company where he worked for 32 years, retiring July 31, 1997, as production scheduler. He then began working for Briarcliff Retirement Center in Altoona, and Courtyard Estates in Pleasant Hill.

Jerry was united in marriage to Jeryl Ann Castonguay, July 3, 1972, at the Community Reformed Church in Newton. Jerry loved spending time with family and pursuing his interest in photography.

Jerry died at home Sunday morning, Feb. 9, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Bryan Laffoon; sister, Linda Laffoon; step-father, Tom Wearmoth; and step-mother, Marceline Laffoon; and in-laws, Jerry and Dorothy Gastonguay.

Those left to honor the memory of Jerry include his wife, Jeryl Laffoon of Newton; daughter, Emily Laffoon of Newton; four grandchildren, Zachariah Laffoon, Kylee Laffoon, Devin Hicks and Madison Handeland; siblings, Karen (Larry) Shannon of Newton, Judi (Larry) DeMoss of Altoona, Steve (Jackie) Laffoon of Newton, Jan Wearmoth of Newton and Jayne (Dale) Reynolds of Newton; many nieces and nephews; and his companion dogs, Zeus and Nikki.