Gerald Reber

Gerald “Jerry” B. Reber Jr. of Langley passed away Oct. 9, 2009 at Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born Feb. 26, 1928 in rural Elmwood, Neb. to Gerald B. Reber Sr. and Elva M. (Patton) Reber.

His early life was spent on farms near Elmwood and Alvo, Neb. Jerry played football and basketball before he graduated from Alvo High School. He proudly served in the Navy from 1945 to 1947, primarily in the South Pacific, and at Bremerton, and after his honorable discharge, worked for an uncle on a Wyoming ranch, returning to eastern Nebraska where he farmed for several years.

Jerry married Jeane Ellen Hatfield of Clarinda, Iowa on Nov. 21, 1953, in Waverly, Neb., and they lived in Lincoln, Neb. while he farmed and she taught elementary school. In 1955, they moved to San Luis Obispo, Calif., where their three children were born.

Jerry worked for the railroad and later for the local gas utility. In January 1965, Jeane passed away, and Jerry moved with his children to Ashland, Neb. He was employed by Peoples Natural Gas Company/Enron for

20 years, working his way up to branch manager in Ashland and taking early retirement in 1985. He served on the Ashland City Council from 1974 to 1978.

After retirement, Jerry concentrated on buying, renovating and selling real estate and performing numerous large and small remodeling and construction projects in the area. He worked part-time at the Ashland nursing home, where he often visited his mother in her later years.

In 1991, he met Anita M. Fullwiler (Metsker) of Kirkland, Wash., in Wisconsin while visiting mutual friends. They married May 2, 1992 and lived in Ashland until 1998, when they relocated to Langley. Jerry wanted to live on an island and loved watching the boats and marine life on Saratoga Passage from their Whidbey Island home.

Besides his first wife, Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his sister DeVee Comstock, his brother-in-law L.E. (“Gene”) Henning, his aunts and several uncles. He is survived by his wife; sister Shirley J. Henning of Ralston, Neb.; daughter Pam R. Reber of Rice Lake, Wisc.; sons Mark T. Reber (Jody Durbin), Gary M. Reber (Pamela) of Lincoln, Neb., and Scott T. Fullwiler (Beth) of Waverly, Iowa; three grandchildren, Ellen Reber, Will Reber and Adelisa Fullwiler; uncle Donald C. Patton of Lincoln, Neb.; sister-in-law Evorene B. Davis of San Jose, Calif.; brother-in-law Gerald Comstock of Gretna, Neb.; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Connie and Glenn Hellyer of Yorba Linda, Calif.; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jerry will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He will be remembered for his warm smile, quiet and modest manner, genuine friendliness and readiness to assist others.

He was known as a gifted and skilled carpenter and electrician. He installed and repaired furnaces, air conditioners and other home, commercial and industrial appliances. He was often asked for guidance regarding home labor and was ready to handle home projects.

He was an intelligent, patriotic and kind man, a dependable and loyal friend, a loving and faithful husband, brother, father and grandfather whose family always came first. He was fond of gardening, old tractors, trains, history and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at a future date. His final resting place will be Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, Neb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, or any favorite charity.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Visser Funeral Home, Langley. Friends and family may also view the online obituary, sign and leave messages at