Jerry Ray Switzer, at 78 years, 11 months and 363 days passed peacefully while in the care of the hospice facility (Community Life Center) of the Marion Veterans Medical Center. In his long six-year battle with cancer he had yet another chemotherapy treatment on Monday, Feb 10th. Tuesday evening, he was taken to the ER where Jerry, along with his doctors, made the decision that 1 surgery would be extensive and not be survivable. He went into hospice care on Wednesday morning and passed Friday evening at approximately 10:30pm.

Jerry was born in Herrin, Illinois to his parents, Hubert Switzer and Wilma (Harris) Switzer, on February 16, 1946. Jerry attended Sunnyside elementary and Herrin High School. He served and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. Jerry worked many different jobs but was primarily an auto mechanic. Ward Chevrolet was his last workplace. Jerry had always been one to hunt and fish, but for the last many years he was not able to do any.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and a sister. He is survived by his two brothers: Richard and wife Karen and Randy and wife Paula, and two sisters: Mary Ann and husband Larry Woolard and Kathy and husband Earl Werner, two daughters, Mandy and husband Larry Dawson of Mulkeytown, Illinois and Wendy and husband Russell SKonie of Fort Collins, Colorado, and grandchildren: Lara, Ryan, Brandon, Jessica, Jordan, and Hannah, and great grandchildren: Brady, Lydia, Kody.

Graveside service will be at 2:00 pm on March 3, 2025 at Herrin City Cemetery.