Jerome A. “Jerry” Hefel, 84, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on January 17, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. with Fr. Steve Garner officiating. A private burial will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa is assisting the family.

He married the love of his life Sharon Weig on May 13, 1961, at Holy Ghost Church, Dubuque, IA.

Jerry was a devoted lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed following the Iowa Hawkeyes.   For many years, Jerry participated in league bowling at Riverside Bowl.  He also coached for several years for Dubuque Independent League baseball and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Jerry was loved and adored by his family. He was known for his fun-loving spirit and playful sense of humor. He was a very caring and kind person and very involved with his family. He was a faithful follower of his sports teams and enjoyed watching the games with his family and attending Cubs games when possible. He would enjoy the occasional trip to the local casino and rarely turned down a meal dining out at restaurants. Jerry will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jerry is survived by four children: Steve (Diane) Hefel and Jack (Michele) Hefel of Peosta, IA, Julie (Steve) DeWitt and Bill (Maneka) of Dubuque, IA. Grandchildren: Linsey Petrousek, Abbie Hefel, Nikki Vondra, Megan Timmerman, Jared and Alex Hefel, and Erik Hefel. Step-grandchildren Kristal Kruse, Alena and Jaylen. Great-grandchildren Rosemarie Peterousk, Lucy, Henry, Oliver and Theo Vondra, and Benson and Baylor Timmerman. Step great-grandchildren Caleb and Alice Rumple. Three siblings: Marilyn (Mike) Nitz of Rancho Palace Verde, CA, Donna Reid of Rockford, IL and Grace Green of Ulathe, KS. Brothers-in-law, Daniel (Vee) Weig, Dennis (Lori) Weig and Andy LuGrain of Dubuque and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his loving wife Sharon; his parents, George and Emma Hefel; sister Irene Haupt; brothers Kenneth, Lyle and Richard Hefel; parents-in-law James and Marcella Weig; sisters-in-law Donna Hefel, Mary LuGrain and Janice Weig; brothers-in-law Keith Reid, Mike Green, and Larry Haupt. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Katie Parker at Mercy One and a special thank you to Linda Kenkal (patient safety) for all of her help and compassion.