Jerome “Jerry” L. Likens, 85, of Steele City, passed away Feb. 4, 2020, JCH&L Gardenside, Fairbury. He was born Oct. 19, 1934, to Louis J. and Faith Isabelle (Hinds) Likens in Fairbury.

Jerry was a 1953 graduate of Fairbury High School, where he participated in football, basketball, track, band, chorus and Student council, HI-Y, Trail staff, F-Club. He graduated from Fairbury Junior College in 1955. He was involved in Football, Tennis, Band and chorus, and was a Charter member of Delta-Psi-Omega. On May 27, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara “Bobbie” Moore. He joined the US Navy in 1953 and was discharged in 1961. He was stationed at Buckley Naval Air Station in Denver for three years. While in Denver, son Tony and daughter Francie were born. In 1959 they moved back to Fairbury. Terry and Tim were born in Fairbury. The family rented farms or houses in town until 1973 when they achieved a life long dream of buying a farm, when they purchased the Blacksher place between Endicott and Steele City.

He loved horses, and got his first horse as a Christmas gift from his parents while he was in high school. He and Bobbie were members of the Blue Valley Wranglers Saddle Club, participating in horse shows, parades, and saddle club dances. He and Bobbie were leaders of the 4-H Wranglers for 21 years.

After returning from the Navy, he drove a bread truck for Wonder Bread, worked at Roode Packing Co., worked at True Value Hardware and worked at Fairbury Pipe and Supply / Fairbury Winnelson, Fairbury Livestock and the Jefferson County Fair.

Jerry grew up a member of the First Baptist Church in Fairbury, and was baptized in 1942. He joined Bobbie’s church, the First United Presbyterian Church in Fairbury, in 1955. In the Presbyterian Church he was ordained an Elder and served several terms on the session and also served as a deacon. For many years he gave the Children’s Sermon, generally starting with “I got to thinking…” He sang in the church choir, the Senior Songsters, with combined community choirs, and also performed solo at many weddings and funerals.

He and Bobbie have enjoyed hiking in the mountains of Colorado, camping wherever they pulled their camper, and participating in the Sunnybrook Camper club. They participated in a mixed bowling league for many years. They participated in many Kiwanis musicals over the years. He was a Husker football fan. He was a lifetime member of the Fairbury Elks Lodge #1203.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Isabelle Likens; and brother, Robert.

He is survived by wife, Bobbie; children Tony (Lana) Likens, Fairbury; Francie (Tim) Fairley, Fairbury; Terry (Jill) Likens, Fairbury; and Tim (Sue) Likens, Swanton; Grandchildren, Trevin and Toriann Likens, Fairbury; Ryan (Erin) Fairley, Brady; Dustin (Amanda) Fairley, Fairbury; Michelle (Austin) Galles, Wayne; Shaylin (Jake) Jiskra, Swanton; Bailey (Riley) Meyer, Daykin; Levi Likens, Sutton; Emma (James) Brown, Duncansville Pennsylvania; Kate (Matt) Grimes, Minden; and Travis Likens, Swanton; and great-grandchildren, Tanner and Owen Fairley, Brady; Bo and Ellie Fairley, Fairbury; Jacoby, Sydney and Myles Galles, Wayne; Henry and Nora Jiskra, Swanton; and Paisley Meyer, Daykin; brother-in-law, Steve (Jean) Moore, Sacramento, Calif.; sister-in-law, Mary Eleanor (LeVern) Jensen, Ft. Morgan, Co.; nieces, nephews, and so many friends.

The family will greet friends at Gerdes Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Memorials will go to the Presbyterian Church or family choice. Gerdes Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.