Jerry L Ulin

Keswick- Jerry L. Ulin was born November 21, 1941, to parents Virgil Ulin and Elizabeth (Billie Ulin) Newcomb Ulin at What Cheer, Iowa. Jerry went to his home with the Lord on June 29, 2016. Raised on the family farm, Jerry attended Thornburg elementary and Tri-County North High School, at Thornburg, graduating with the Class of 1959. On May 6, 1961, he married Judie Finch. Children born are Jeff and Jerilyn. Jerry worked in Cedar Rapids, later in Deep River, as a territory manager for Funk's Seed Corn, while also serving on the volunteer fire department. Jerry and family moved to Quincy, IL in 1966 as house-parents at Chaddock Home for Boys, followed by house-parents at Iowa Children's Home in Tama-Toledo. In 1973 he answered the Call to Ministry with study at North Iowa Community College, while appointed to serve Plymouth & Rock Falls United Methodist Churches. Jerry was ordained from Garrett Theological Seminary in 1976, followed by Deacon's Orders in 1980. He also served United Methodist Churches at Minburn, IA and Simpson in Des Moines. Jerry enjoyed working with the youth in the churches with work trips to Kansas City, and Colorado. He also enjoyed mission work with County Cousins in Mississippi, sending Nubian goats for Heifer Project, as well as hospital beds, sewing machines & water pumps to Africa. His work in ministry included 145 weddings, 141 funerals and 87 baptisms. That is 373 families impacted by Christian ministry. Adult ministry included 20-30 Club at Rock Falls, Minburn Young Adults. Teens of the Youth Group were at work in each of the churches. His favorite ministry was that of Skywalk Chaplain and work with Door of Faith Men's Mission in downtown Des Moines, where he could truly fulfill the Matthew 25 work with the homeless, the hungry, the prisoners, as well as ministry with the thousands who worked on, and lived nearby, the downtown Skywalk system. He was proud of feeding the hungry at the YMCA, as well as packing meals out to the homeless living under bridges. Jerry was honored to serve the role of Jesus, the crucified, as he dragged a huge cross through the streets of downtown Des Moines, followed by a crowd of Christian believers. As the parade passed the county jail, the jeers of the prisoners filled the air. In 1980 Jerry attended the Ecumenical Weekend of Cursillo/Walk to Emmaus at the Methodist Church in Ogden, IA, leading him to the position of Spiritual Director for as long as his health endured. With failing heart issues, he received a heart transplant in 1999 at the University of Iowa. His family and friends were his joy.
Those left to mourn are his wife, Judie, of 55 years, his children: Jeff (Anne) Ulin, Jerilyn Beals; grandchildren Chelsea (Jesse), Carter, Trent, Johnny (Gwen), David (Carrie); 7 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Also surviving is his brother, Larry Ulin. Those preceding in death are his parents; son-in-law, James Beals; grandson, Chad Rummelt; aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:30 pm on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at the Keswick United Methodist Church, Keswick. Burial will be in the McFarlan Cemetery East of What Cheer. Visitation will be on Saturday, from 4-7 pm, at the Powell Funeral Home, North English. Memorials may be given to the Keswick United Methodist Church. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com