Gerald Shepherd

Gerald Andrew “Shep” Shepherd, 89, of Ottumwa, died at 3:45 a.m. February 28, 2019 at Good Samaritan Society-Ottumwa. He was born September 12, 1929 in Ottumwa to Henry and Flossie Mobley Shepherd. He married Iona “Nonie” Hornick on June 30, 1951. Gerald was a graduate of Ottumwa High School and had served in the U.S. Army. He worked for 24 years for John Morrell & Co. and for 20 years for Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation. Gerald is survived by his wife, Iona; his children, Cynthia Ritz and Tom (Judy) Shepherd both of Ottumwa; 4 grandchildren, John (Sarah) Ritz of Louisville, KY; Justin Ritz, Amanda Shepherd of Ottumwa and Hilary Shepherd of Des Moines; 3 great-grandchildren, Aquila Ritz, Tirzah Ritz and Collin Shepherd; a sister, Stella Hornick of Floris. He was preceded in death by his twin sister, Geraldine Widger; two brothers, Clarence “Bud” Shepherd and Earl Shepherd. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Reece Funeral Home. Military services will be conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Sunday with the family present from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to the Wapello County Veterans Association.