Memorial Service July 10, 10:30 AM Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Decatur

Jerry Carter, 56, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away Monday after a courageous battle with colo-rectal cancer.

He was born April 24, 1961, in Manning, Iowa, the son of Merlin and Arlene Carter. He grew up in the Manning area and attended Manning Community School. He graduated from Manning High School in 1980.

He was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on August 7, 1977. As a member of the Denison congregation, Jerry enjoyed attending and participating in meetings at the Kingdom Hall and sharing his Bible-based faith with others through the door-to-door ministry. He enjoyed reading the Bible and Bible-based publications and learning about creation. He also served as an auxiliary pioneer when his circumstances permitted. All of that helped him develop a solid relationship with Jehovah God. After high school, he took an auto-mechanic's course through DMACC. Jerry owned TSS Speedshine for several years before moving to Branson to work as a time-share consultant.

It was during his time in Branson that he met Rebekah (Becky) Hadden, who became his wife on April 17, 2009. Jerry and Becky went to school for audiology, receiving degrees in 2012. They moved to Decatur in 2014. Known for his goofy sense of humor and his love of music, he was always one of the first to laugh. He loved a good joke. His hobbies included raising fish, gardening, cars and motorcycles. He had great faith in his Creator and did his best to set an example worthy of imitation. Jerry will be missed greatly by his family and friends, all of whom eagerly look forward to seeing him again after he is resurrected in Paradise.

Jerry is survived by his parents Merlin and Arlene Carter, Manning, Iowa; wife Rebekah Carter, Decatur; daughter Danielle Carter, Denison, Iowa; son Lucas Carter, Decatur; step-daughter Samantha Hadden Decatur; sisters Sara (Wade) Reikofski Bellevue, Nebraska, and Leah (Ron) Preul Arcadia, Iowa; numerous nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Orville and Grace Carter, and his maternal grandparents, Mike and Catherine Schneider; Uncle Dean Carter and Uncle Galen Carter; Aunt Leota and Uncle Beal Austin.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30am Monday July 10th at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Decatur, Illinois.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Rebekah Carter.

The family of Jerry Carter is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Decatur, Illinois.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.morangoebel.com.