STEELEVILLE - Jerry W. Ehlers, 65, of Steeleville, passed away at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 29, 2012 at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO. Jerry was born in Red Bud, Illinois on December 10, 1946, the son of Arnold C. and Pauline Bollman Ehlers. He married Marsha A. Rieckenberg on August 3, 1968 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Wine Hill, Illinois. Jerry was a retired coal miner and carpenters. He was a member of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Wine Hill; the NRA; and the Carpenters Union and United Mine Workers of America. Jerry is survived by his wife, Marsha A. Ehlers of Steeleville; children, Brian A. Ehlers of Steeleville and Michele Ehlers of Chester; two grandchildren, Amira AL-Jassim and Zain AL-Jassim; mother, Pauline Lakeman of Sparta; sister, Marla (Jim) Cushman of Chester; brothers, Darrel Ehlers of Campbell Hill, and Randy (Rachelle) Lakeman of St. Charles, MO; three sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Mike) Frye, Mila Biermann, and Karen (Dave) Youngberg; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved beagle dog, Lexi. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Ehlers; step father, Edgar Lakeman; sister, Shelly Ehlers; sister-in-law, Carol Ehlers; and nephew, Tyson Ehlers. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Wine Hill, IL with Debra J. Rathert, Interim Pastor officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Wine Hill. Visitation will be held at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville, where friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and on Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m., then from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery Fund.