Jerry Via, 82, of New Port Richey, FL, passed away peacefully and suddenly on February 2nd, 2023 at Bayonet Point Hospital in Hudson, FL.
Jerry was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana and had retired to Florida a decade ago. While he retired as a Tool & Die Maker from H&P Tool Company in Richmond, he was a Jack-of-all trades sometimes working two jobs at a time. From delivering newspapers and mowing lawns as a boy, to working in a shoe store as a teen, one of his second jobs was as a school bus driver for Centerville Abington Schools. Having driven a school bus, he was a natural at driving the Murat Shriners van taking local children to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Lexington. Jerry enjoyed being a Shriner and was a past President as well as a participant in local and regional parades dressed as a clown driving in the Scooter Patrol. Jerry was a member of the following organizations: Masonic Temple of Hagerstown, IN, Murat Shriners of Richmond, IN, Royal Order of Jesters, of Indianapolis, IN, and Fraternal Order of Eagles of New Port Richey, FL.
Jerry is survived by his children, Jerald Via of Richmond, IN and JanEva Jones of Tallahassee, FL and step-children Gale Myles of Anacortes, WA and William Myles of Cincinnati, OH; brother Thomas Via of Richmond, IN; grandchildren, Charity Rodriquez, Jessica Houfek, Jeremy Via, Dane Via, David Jones, Faye Ehrich, and Anastasia Ehrich; as well as great-grandchildren, Heavenly, Seraphina, Collin, Olivia, Lincoln, Lily, Jacqueline, Stellan, and Ines. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Mary Elizabeth Via; siblings Gary Via and Sharon Stiens; spouses Katheen Burgess and Nadine Myles; and special friend Mary Ann Butler. Jerry’s family had a private viewing on February 6th in New Port Richey. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 8th at 11:00 at Earlham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital of Lexington at Philanthropy Dept., 110 Conn Terrace, Lexington, KY 40508, or at LovetotheRescue.org.