Funeral service for Jerry Lee Wiersema will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in Paradise Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Ordean Nelson and Rev. Donny Crittendon officiating.

Burial will follow in Paradise Valley Cemetery under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 6-8 pm Monday at the funeral home.

Jerry Lee Wiersema, age 73, Lawton, died Friday, February 17, 2017 at his home with his wife at his side. He was born January 9, 1944 at Fort Francis E. Warren, Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Roy Wiersema and Florence (Sewell) Wiersema. After his father's retirement from the army, they returned to Oklahoma and settled in a community north of Lawton. Jerry spent his first ten years playing with his brothers, friends and cousins on his beloved mountains behind their 40 acres. Jerry attended grade school at Elgin Public Schools. His family then moved to Caledonia, Michigan, until his junior year in high school. Upon moving back to Oklahoma he went to Fletcher High School where he spent his time playing sports, the piano, guitar and singing. He was a self taught musician. He was able to return to Elgin his senior year, once again playing basketball, baseball, piano, guitar and singing in the choir. Upon graduation he went to work for Town & Country Mfg. Co. On July 8, 1963 he married his bride of almost 54 years, Evelyn Ann Baskett.

Jerry retired in 1988 from the Lawton Fire Department after 22 years of service. Upon retiring he owned and operated Jerry's Sharpening Service. Jerry was also custodian for Paradise Valley Baptist Church for 37 years, until ill health forced him to retire. Jerry was a member and deacon at Paradise Valley Baptist Church serving his Lord and Savior in many areas of the church. His favorite thing was singing in the choir and holding mini piano concerts before prayer meetings on Wednesday nights. He also served on the Paradise Valley Cemetery Board. Last but not least Jerry was an AVID deer hunter. In the fall you would find Jerry deer hunting in eastern Oklahoma with his brother Bill, cousin Grover, nephews, friends & grandsons until, because of his health, that was no longer possible. Deer hunting was a big part of his life 'til the day he died. If there is deer hunting in Heaven, Jerry will be hunting with his Lord and Savior in Heaven & singing in God's heavenly choir.

Jerry leaves behind his wife, Evelyn of the home, daughters Janetta LeAnn Brown & husband Kent of Duncan, Stacey Elaine Broadaway, Cheri Denise Beatty and friend Linda Doane, Lawton, son-in-law James Beatty, Lawton. Grandchildren: Jared Brown, Elissa Broadaway, John-Paul Broadaway, Justin Beatty, Jerry Beatty, all of Lawton, and Kylie Blaine and husband Hunter, Leesville, Louisiana. Two special young men he called grandsons, Richard Mooers and wife Erica, Enid, Ned Mooers Petersburg, Virginia and their mother Leslie Mooers who he was proud to call his friend as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister Eva Ratliff, brothers Roy Wiersema, Jr., Jimmy Wiersema, Frank Stamper, Billie Van Wiersema, and Donald Wiersema and his son-in-law John Broadaway.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Paradise Valley Church Van Fund, 4974 NW Meers-Porter Hill Road, Lawton OK 73507.