Jerry W. Phelps

Jerry W. Phelps, 59, of Lafayette, Indiana, formerly of Bethelridge, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2010 at Clarian Arnett Hospital in Lafayette following an illness with cancer. He was born in Bethelridge, Kentucky on March 5, 1951, son of the late Brice and Edna May Wesley Phelps. Jerry grew up in Bethelridge and moved to Fowler, IN at the age of five. He attended Oxford High School. After school Jerry entered the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he was the recipient of the Purple Heart. Jerry worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier and was stationed out of the Linden Post Office. He had worked for 20 years, retiring in 2004. He was a member of Bethelridge United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #11, V.F.W. Post of Lafayette. He was named a Kentucky Colonel and enjoyed genealogy of his family. He was a member of the Indiana Sheriffs Association and enjoyed hunting and woodworking. He is survived by one daughter, Meela & (Jason) Swank of Lafayette, one brother, Larry B. Phelps of Kissimme, FL, two sisters, Faye Barnard of Oxford, IN and Shirley Tarter of Colfax, IN, three grandchildren, Elizabeth Phelps, Eli Swank and Sammy Swank. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Bryce Phelps, two sisters, Sue Biddle and Gay Phelps and two brothers, Darrell and Gary Phelps. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Bethelridge United Methodist Church with Bro. Doug Stutz officiating. Burial will be in Bethelridge Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post #38. Visitation will be after 6 PM Tuesday at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.