Jay D. Ferries, 92, of Sheridan, WY died Monday, August 20, 2018, in Sheridan Manor.

Jay was born October 15, 1925, in Wilton, WI to Vern and Beulah (Dempsey) Ferries.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated high school in Wilton.

Jay married Isabell Schroeder on October 25, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on St. Mary’s Ridge, WI. They lived outside Wilton where they farmed until he attended mortuary school in Milwaukee, WI.  After graduating, they purchased the funeral home and furniture store in Wilton.  In 1965, they moved to Sheridan, WY where they purchased the Stevens Funeral Home with Jay’s brother, John.  Jay operated the funeral home until they sold and moved to Colorado Springs, CO in 1972.  There they owned and operated the Skelly Truck Stop in Colorado Springs until 1982.  Jay worked as a stock broker until returning to Sheridan in 1990 to help their son, Mark, operate Ferries Funeral Home.  Jay also managed the Columbus Bldg. for several years.  He retired in 2011.

Jay was an active member of Holy Name Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge #520, Lions Club and the Big Horn Mtn. polka club.  He enjoyed working bingo for the Elks and Knights of Columbus, playing poker with his friends and dancing.  Also, he was an excellent bridge and mean pinochle player.

Jay is survived by sons Mark (Colleen) of Sheridan and Paul (Mary) of Bartlett, TN; daughters Carol (Russ) Perrigo of Custer, SD and Jean (John) Cantu of Colorado Springs, CO; brother Jeremy of Corvallis, OR; sister Margaret Meacham of Wilton; grandchildren Michele, Clint, Annette, Candy, Charles, Andrew, Nicholas, Jesse, Adam and Karla; and several great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jay was preceded in death by his wife Isabell, his son Gary, grandsons Matt and Gabriel, and brothers James and John.

Visitation will be 9:00 am until noon on Friday, August 31, 2018, from Champion Funeral Home.  Funeral liturgy will be recited at 2:00 pm on Friday from Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Glenn Whewell officiating.  Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, Elks section.  A reception to follow burial in the Parish Hall.  Memorials may benefit Holy Name Catholic Church, Elks Lodge #520 and The Hub on Smith.

Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.

 

Sheridan & Johnson County Obituaries