Gerald "Jerry" L Chatfield
September 5, 1933 - June 9, 2021
Gerald (Jerry) Lowell Chatfield passed away at his home on June 9th, 2021 under the care of St. Croix Hospice. Visitation will be held at Fullerton Funeral Home in Charles City, Iowa on Sunday, June 13th, 2021 from 5-8 pm. A private family service will be held on June 14th with Pastor Jan Tjaden officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Floyd, Iowa Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Andrew Chatfield, Wesley Freiberg, Joshua Chatfield, Cory Chatfield, Dustin Chatfield, Benjamin Chatfield, Luke Chatfield and Travis Mills with Jeremy Chatfield as Honorary pallbearer. Jerry was born in Scott County Iowa the son of Lowell and Amanda (Lucht) Chatfield on September 5th, 1933. He was united in marriage to Frances A. Goecken of Charles City, Iowa on June 18th, 1955 in Davenport, Iowa. To this union six children were born, Diane Jerry, Cindy, Terry, Brian and Susie. Jerry had many jobs throughout his lifetime but the one he enjoyed the most was being a salvage yard owner and towing service operator helping people. Survived by his wife of 65 years Frances and children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Diane(Leonard)Geerts, Brianne(Jason)Feaker and children Jacob, Oliver, Elliott and Audrey, Carianne(John Lorenzini) Geerts and baby due in July; Jerry(Kathy)Chatfield, daughter in-law Lisa Chatfield and children Tabitha and Isabelle, Andrew(Amy)Chatfield, Lindsay(Matt)Hatcher and children Kacie, Lena and Emma; Cindy(Jim)Freiberg, Amy(Jeremy)Miller and children Issac, Noah and Hannah, Jody(Nate)Froeschle and children Ayden and Annabella, Katy(Rick)Zaucha and children Tory and Sophia, Jenny Himle and Boston, Wesley Freiberg; Terry, Joshua(Bridget)Chatfield, Cory Chatfield and children Peyton and Issac, Dustin(Melissa) Chatfield and children Owen, Claire and Evan, Amanda(Kyle) Gruetzmacher and children Kooper and Kaleb; Brian Chatfield, Ben(Heather)Chatfield and Colton, Candie(Jimmy)McKay and children Chandler, Eli and Abigayle, Kris(Trent) Thiele and children Clayton, MacKenzie and Toni, Luke(Ashley) Chatfield and children Hudson, Elliott and Dawsyn; Susie(Kurt)Mills, Travis(Courtney)Mills and children Charlotte and Lillian, Taylor(Dylan)Nash. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Betty Jane Chatfield and Joan L. Carter and grandson Jeremy Chatfield in December of 2020 along with many cousins. The family would like to thank Dr. Royer, St. Croix Hospice and Sam Gaston for the care they gave Dad these last few months. Jerry and Frances moved to a farm home in Floyd County in July of 1962 with their 5 children. A sixth child was added to the family at this home. Frances' dad (Grandpa Goecken) knew the McMurchy brothers and found the home so they could move back to Floyd County to be closer to Frances' family. Dad loved his salvage business (DO NOT CALL IT A JUNKYARD!) and helping the farmers and others who needed truck and tractor parts. They eventually moved in 1979 to the "south place" next to the Cedar River just outside of Floyd and had more room to grow the salvage yard business. Dad also loved to collect antiques (all kinds), going to swap meets and attending any type of auction he could find. Mom and Dad traveled during the winter months throughout the south from Florida to Arizona to sell antiques and attend swap meets. We don't believe there was ever an auction Dad would miss as he bid at them all and they all knew "Chatty was there to go home with something." Dad loved hunting and fishing as hobbies as well. He spent many hours/days fishing with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids over the years. Many of them have have carried on his fishing passion. Dad also loved to watch his sons and grandsons participate in demolition derbies over the years and to the end, held a keen interest in what was happening with the wrecker services they provided. Dad was so proud of his kids and grandkids as they grew older and made their way into the world and all the accomplishments and services they provided to others thru their chosen professions including the Air Force, National Guard, Law Enforcement, Fire Department Volunteers, Nursing, Trucking, Wrecker Services, Repairing Vehicles, Construction, Medical Field Supervision, Farmers (both crop and animal), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Accounting, Computer IT, Photographers, Hospital Support Staff and Teachers Aides. Most important to Dad was that his children and grandchildren be caring moms and dads to his great grandchildren. Dad was always a character and LOVED the babies, didn't matter who's baby either. Dad's famous line to anyone with a baby was, "I'll give you $20 for that baby so I can take it home and add it to my family." He's even been known to up the bid to $22.50 if the $20 didn't work. Sometimes that was a little bit of a challenge to explain to people's other kids that he was only teasing. But he sure loved the babies! Many of his grandchildren thought that Grandpa worked at the Floyd Truck Stop as he was there whenever they would pass through or stop in. Dad had his favorite corner booth and enjoyed going to the Floyd Truck Stop daily and continued that up until April when he was unable to get around as much. Dad loved to sit there and visit with the truck drivers that passed thru as well as the friends and neighbors he saw each day. Dad will be missed by many.
Gerald (Jerry) Lowell Chatfield passed away at his home on June 9th, 2021 under the care of St. Croix Hospice. Visitation will be held at Fullerton Funeral Home in Charles City, Iowa on Sunday, June 13th, 2021 from 5-8 pm. A private... View Obituary & Service Information