Jerald Eugene “Jerry” Fry, 76, of South Whitley, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at his home.

Born on September 13, 1950, in Warsaw, Indiana, he was a son of the late Jack Eugene and Joanna (Landis) Fry. He grew up on a farm near South Whitley, where he learned a strong work ethic doing farm chores. He attended the Opportunity Center in Columbia City.

Throughout his life, Jerry dedicated himself to farming, milking cows, baling hay, and doing other farm chores as a farmhand for the Jim Ruckman farm and the Steve Metzger farm.

Jerry loved to drive around town on his moped or golf cart and watch the general activities in South Whitley. He was a fixture at any public event in town and well known to the people who live there. Any construction project in town caught Jerry’s attention and his watchful eye. The work crews often gave him an honorary construction hat. A big fan of John Deere tractors, he collected John Deere agricultural equipment models. Spending the majority of his life on the farm, he enjoyed Plow Days, being among the first to arrive and last to leave. To his many friends and acquaintances, he was an all-around good guy.

Jerry is survived by his siblings, Jack A. Fry, Jill E. Moyer, both of South Whitley, Julie A. (Tim) Carter of North Manchester, and Joy E. Fulk of South Whitley; and 13 nephews and nieces.

Preceding him in death are two nephews, Kyle Carter and Dylan Carter.

Visitation is from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 21st) at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 22nd) at the funeral home. Burial is at the South Whitley Cemetery.