Jerry Toppin

Jerry L. Toppin, 56, of Ventura, died at his home.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013 at the St. John Lutheran Church, rural Garner, Iowa, with Rev. Carl Hedberg officiating. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, rural Garner.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the 

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, and then one hour before the service on Friday at the church.  Family suggests memorials to St. John Lutheran Church in memory of Jerry Toppin.

Jerry was born Jan.10, 1957 in Mason City, the son of Wayne and Ardith (Hollatz) Toppin.  He grew up in rural Ventura area and graduated from Ventura High School in 1975 and continued his education at N.I.A.C.C.  He moved to Waterloo and worked as a surveyor and later moved back to Mason City and worked for Cell-U-Byte and then for Oehlert Construction.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing on the church softball team and following sports.  One of his favorite sayings was, “Take One Day at a Time”.  

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, rural Garner, where he was baptized and confirmed.  He served as a trustee and usher at the church.

Jerry is survived by his parents, Wayne and Ardith Toppin, Clear Lake; his three siblings, Gene (Dana) Toppin, Clear Lake, Jack (Cheryl) Toppin, Garner, and Susan Toppin, West Des Moines, Iowa; nieces and nephew, Andrea Toppin, Ames, Iowa, Joel Toppin, Clear Lake, and Nicole Toppin, Garner.  

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harlan and Doris Toppin, and Henry and Bertha Hollatz.  

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.