Engineman Chief Petty Officer (USN Ret.) Jerry “Tubby” Zehr, 72, French Lick

Engineman Chief Petty Officer (USN Ret.) Jerry “Tubby” Zehr, 72, of French Lick, Indiana, passed away at peace at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2015, at home.

Tubby was born on August 25, 1943, in Huntingburg to George and Laurena (Friedman) Zehr. He married Dawn J. Wininger on July 15, 2007, at Lake Michigan.

Tubby is a US Navy veteran who enlisted in the Navy following high school as a diesel mechanic. Chief Zehr served on the following naval vessels: USS Thomaston LSD; USS Sarsfield DD; USS Graham AGP; USS Antelope PG; USS Ready PG; USS Douglas PG100; USS Grand Rapids PG; and the USS Canopus AS.

He served multiple combat tours in Vietnam. He retired from the Navy in 1981 after 20 years of honorable service.

Following his naval career, Chief Zehr returned home to Indiana and served for 27 years as the technical maintenance supervisor for the Springs Valley School Systems in French Lick until his retirement in 2009. During his tenure with the Springs Valley Schools, he also ran his own trucking and auto repair business.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dawn Zehr of French Lick; daughter, Deanne Burger and husband Denny of French Lick; brother, Danny Zehr and wife Joanna of Eckerty; sister, Mary Jo Zehr of Hermitage, Tenn.; nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Larry Zehr of Wagoner, Okla.

Funeral services for Jerry “Tubby” Zehr will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at the Becher-Kluesner North Funeral Home in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in Emmons Ridge Cemetery in Hillham, Ind. Fr. Eugene Schmitt and Pastor Paul DeHart will officiate.

The French Lick American Legion Post #76 will conduct military graveside rites.

Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until the 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015, at the Becher-Kluesner North Side Chapel in Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation, 3555 Newton Street, Jasper, IN 47546.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.