Jerry Mathern Obituary

Jerry Lawrence Mathern

Jerry Lawrence Mathern, 68, died at 8:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Findlay. Jerry was born Nov. 26, 1953, in Carey, to famed baker Charles "Cookie" Mathern and Barbara Della Orians Mathern. He is survived by his brother, Dennis Mathern, and his wife, Jeanette Sexton; brother, Rick Mathern; ex-wife, Joyce Flanagan, and their children, Christen, Emily, Caleb, and Wesley Mathern, and his wife Elena, and their two children, Jerry's grandchildren, Caroline and Holden. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Nancy Collier.

A prolific athlete, performer, and traveler, Jerry was an all-state running back for the Carey Blue Devils in high school, earning a scholarship to Ohio Wesleyan University. He loved to sing, often serving as the worship leader at the churches he attended in Carey and Findlay across three decades. Jerry went on multiple mission trips to Africa and China. He generously supported missionaries and was steadfast in his utmost devotion to his faith. Every Christmas, he lent his resonant baritone to the ecumenical choir at Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation where he was once an altar boy. A regular player at Fort Findlay Playhouse and Findlay Light Opera, he performed in productions of Damn Yankees, Hello Dolly, Brigadoon, The King and I, and many more. Jerry rafted the Zambezi River and hiked mountains in Yunnan, China. He took his family to Lakeside every summer and on multiple road trips across America. He baked a mean apple pie. He owned and operated Mathern Insurance in Carey for 40 years. His life was tragically cut short by vascular dementia.

A memorial will take place 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at Fort Findlay Playhouse.