Gerald "Jerry" Maberry

Gerald “Jerry” Dean Maberry of Belt passed away on February 28, 2022, in Great Falls at the age of 89.He was born on Halloween in 1932 in Blue Mound, MO.He was the eldest of eight children born to Bert and Eunice (McKerrow) Maberry. The family had a farm where they raised pigs, chickens, and cows. Shortly after high school, he was drafted into the Army for the Korean War effort from 1953-1955 and stationed in Germany. Some family that had been farming in the Great Falls area led Jerry to move to Belt in 1955. Not long after moving, he was chased down the street by Frances Jo Freie. They married on November 4, 1956, and remained happily together for 56 years until her passing. They had one daughter together. Jerry and Jo took much pride in building their house in 1966 on the corner of Bridge and Millard Streets. Jerry worked as a switchman for Burlington Northern Railroad for 20 years before retiring in 1979. After that, he did a variety of carpentry work. If there was a construction or renovation/remodeling job in Belt, Jerry probably had a hand in helping to complete it. Jerry usually had the “help” of his grandchildren during the summer on his various jobs. He loved teaching them the way of carpentry and they relished being able to tag along. Jerry really valued the community of Belt and showed it by being an active member of the VFW, serving on the Belt City Council, on the list of volunteer firemen, various positions at Montclair Methodist Church, and restoring the Belt Performing Arts Center. Jerry and Jo loved going for Sunday drives on a backroad and traveling to the casinos in Nevada. Some of Jerry’s other favorite things included watching boxing and Jeopardy, playing cribbage and pinochle, taking trips to Missouri, enjoying a good red beer at one of the many small-town VFW posts, and most of all, being with his family.He never wanted a visit to come to an end, no matter the length or whom it was with.Jerry never missed an opportunity to help someone or spoil his grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Harold and Glen; sister, Joyce; sisters-in-law, Eunice Arrigoni, Bessie Paulson, Cherry Holland, Peggy Giles, and Debbie Maberry; and brothers-in-law, Stanley and Jack Freie. He is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Ted) Nault; brothers, Ray, Jim (Sharon), Jack (Mary Ann) and Gary (Vi); brothers-in-law, Stone Paulson, Dick Holland, and Jack Giles; sisters-in-law, Mary and Aleita Maberry; grandchildren, Natasha (Nick) LaCasse and Zack Nault; great-grandchildren, Taytem, Addie, and Brynn; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. Jerry’s passing will leave a large hole not only in the family but also in the community of Belt. Our lives were absolutely made better by knowing him. The world would be a much better place if we all could follow Jerry’s example. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022, at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel (1410 13th St S). A graveside service with military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery, and a reception will be held at the Belt Performing Arts Center (58 Castner St, Belt, MT) thereafter. Condolences for the family may be sent to Schnider Funeral Home (1510 13th St S, Great Falls, MT). Memorials can be sent to the Belt Montclair Methodist Church, Belt Volunteer Fire Department, Belt VFW Post 4198, or Belt Performing Arts Center.