Jerry Warren Schmutz, age 85, passed away Friday Dec. 30, 2022 in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born Oct. 3, 1937 in Lawrence, Kan. to Lawrence Ralph and Ruth Rockey Schmutz. He grew up in Great Bend, Kan. with friends whom he kept in touch with and cherished seeing at class reunions. 

After graduation from Great Bend High School in Kan., Jerry and twin brother Larry joined the Navy. They served on the USS Hopewell DD 681 touring the Pacific. After returning home to Kansas, Jerry married Sharon and started a family. He became a piping engineer for Fluor Daniels. There he designed refineries and reactors domestically and internationally. They lived in such places as Holland, Iran and South Africa. Jerry and Jane knew each other from high school, connected at a class reunion, married, and later retired in Fayetteville.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Ransberger Schmutz; his son Mark L. Schmutz and daughters Melanie G. Nugent of Minnesota, Cheryl A. Kennedy of Texas, and Natalie W. Olsen of Fayetteville, Ark.; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother John Lawrence Schmutz; and his first wife Sharon Boyle Schmutz. 

Cremation has been chosen and there will be a Graveside Memorial Service held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at the Great Bend Cemetery in Great Bend, Kan. with Pastor Joseph Smeragliuolo officiating. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at http://www.chartergreatbend.com/

Funeral arrangements provided by

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS.  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 1, 2023