Jeremiah "Jerry" Kelleher

Jeremiah Jerry Leo Kelleher, 81, of Great Falls, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at Park Place of natural causes.A visitation where family will receive friends will be held at Schnider Funeral Home, Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be a funeral liturgy at St. Anns Cathedral on Monday, April 20, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Jerry was born July 12, 1933 in Great Falls, Montana to Patrick D. and Verna (Waymire) Kelleher. Jerry had one sister, Martha and five brothers, Patrick, James, John, Joe and Dennis. Jerry attended Longfellow and Paris Gibson schools. He was in the Boy Scouts, making it to Eagle Scout. He also had a paper route and sold papers on Central Avenue.Jerry was married in 1952 to Jo Ann Martinez in St. Josephs Catholic Church. They moved into their first home in Great Falls by the Pay n Pakit. They moved a few times to accommodate their growing family until they bought their first home on 4th Ave S.W.They had six children, Patty, Kathy, Jacquie, Diana, Monica, and the late Jeri Kelleher. Jerry called his family quite a harem. They all loved fishing, fly fishing which was his great love, and he was very talented with it. I (Jo Ann) would stand beside him, behind him, Id go to the other side and would not even get a nibble. Jerry on the other hand, got his quota. When he fished with his girls, he was so patient, he would bait their hooks, and sometimes he never got a chance to fish himself because he was helping his girls. Jerry was also an avid hunter of elk.Jerry worked for a few places during his working career including: Great Northern Railroad and Anaconda Co. for 28 years. When the refinery closed down Jerry and family packed up and moved to Nevada. He then worked for Arco, and went on to work at the Independence Mining, retiring in 1995. Jerry and Jo Ann decided to move back to Montana, and Jerry decided to start driving a school bus.He enjoyed numerous family get togethers with his big family. Jerry loved to tell jokes, have a smile on his face and make people laugh. Jerry and Jo Ann enjoyed many trips together. They went to England and Ireland to name a few.In 2005 Jerry and Jo Ann moved back to Great Falls. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 7, 2012.Jerry is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Kelleher; daughters Patty (Larry) Davidson, Kathy Kelleher, Jacquie (Fred) Hixson, Diana (Tony) Piccono, and Monica Kelleher; brothers Dennis Kelleher, James Kelleher, and Joe Kelleher; eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Verna; sister, Martha Faison; brothers, Patrick Kelleher and John Kelleher; and daughter Jeri Kelleher.