Jerome L. McEldowney, 89, of Saint Marys, died Friday, December 18, 2020, at his residence.

He was born February 3, 1931, in Versailles, Ohio, the son of Leo and Ethel (Simmons) McEldowney. He married Barbara Cotterman on August 28, 1954; she preceded him in death on June 10, 2002.

He is survived by his children: Jerry (Peg) McEldowney of Wapakoneta; Beverley (Michael) Whitaker of Saint Marys; Teena Ward of Saint Marys; Dale (Donna) McEldowney of Saint Marys; Craig McEldowney of Saint Marys; Teresa (Don) Henning of Saint Marys. He is survived by 16 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. He is survived by his sister: Jeanette Monnin of Russia, Ohio; by a brother, Cletus (Pat) McEldowney of Arcanum; a sister-in-law, Barb Cotterman of Wapakoneta.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Scott McEldowney; infant daughters: Tammy and Kimberly McEldowney; by grandchildren: Joslynn Rhodes and Dylan Henning; a son-in-law, Billy Ward; by his siblings and their spouses: Winnie (Robert) Davison; Bertha (Nolan) Young; Catherine (Richard) McClurg; Virginia (Robert) Weyandt; Thelma (Francis) Shade; John (Joyce) McEldowney; Dennis Monnin; Kate (Dick) McClurg. He was also preceded in death by his wife's family including her parents, Sam (Betsy) Cotterman; Barb's siblings and their spouses: Lester Cotterman; Ronnie (Kathy) Cotterman; Sam (Betty) Cotterman; Dick (Betty) Weiler; Dixie (Frank) Cramer; Patricia (Vernon) Koeper, Jr.; Rosemary "Pudge" (Edward) Holsinger; Louise (Floyd) Zimmerman; Delores (Archie) Sawmill; John (Marie) Cotterman.

Jerry was a veteran on the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed camping, tinkering on small engines, working on his Ford tractor with Billy Ward, riding around with his beloved dog, Spanky, in his truck; playing solitaire on his computer and spending time with all his family. He was a big fan of the OSU Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Saint Marys, Father Tony Cutcher, celebrant. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4-8 P.M. Monday, and from 9:30-10:30 Tuesday at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys. All visitors to the funeral home and church are required to wear a mask in accordance with the mandates of the Ohio Department of Health.

Condolences may be sent to Jerry's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.