Jerald L Huiting of Prairie View, Ks entered eternal rest on March 3, 2020

in Salina Ks. He was born the 3rd and youngest son of Jay and Lillie (Moore) Huiting

on the 5 ^th month, 19 ^th day of 1945 in Cawker City, Ks.

Jerald served his country doing duty from 1964 thru 1967 in the Army Nat'l Guard Unit in Smith County Ks.  He was discharged from military duty when they found a tumor on his heart. It was surgically removed and treated with Cobalt, later this was thought to be the reason for his so many heart procedures: an aortic valve replaced, stints, a triple bypass, and a pace maker were the many procedures done on his big heart. The last year had been a long, long year of continued and gradually increasing health issues.  He was a fighter expressing his hope to get back to the farm this summer.

One of the happiest days of his life was the day he adopted his daughter Kendra.  May 6, 1983, was the best day of his life.  The day he married Karen.

Throughout Jerald's career his jobs were varied, from being a farmer and dairy herd operator, a clown for a traveling evangelistic team,  a bookkeeper and later driving fuel truck for Kensington Coop, an anhydrous spray rig operator for Athol Coop, a forklift driver for Monroe Mfg, Tamko Ind, and Excide batteries, a massage therapist, a  monument setter for Stockton Monuments and his favorite being over the road truck driver for Johnson Trucking, Phillips County, Stones Farms and Levin and Sons.  When he retired from the long haul trucking he transitioned to driving for Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel. He felt it a privilege and honor to escort families loved ones home. Harvest time again gave him the opportunity to use his trucking skills to help friends who needed an extra hand to take the load of grain to the elevator and at the same time was doing something he enjoyed without the responsibility of being the land owner. When friends like Tommy, Charlie and June needed someone to drive them to medical appointments out of town Jerald was happy to be their driver and companion for the day.  He took pride in being the cake baker, frosting maker and kitchen cleaner for he and his wife's cake decorating business. It made him happy and proud when the cakes raised to the top of the pan. His second favorite job in retirement was running his Bobcat. From cutting cedar trees out of pastures to volunteering his time to help the Doles and Simpsons dig out from the after effects of tornados. When it snowed he'd fire up the bobcat and putz around town cleaning out the neighbors driveways.  His most favorite job was maintaining his farm and dreaming up and planning the next improvement. Twelve Mile farm was his 'happy place'.

Jerald had many hobbies; working with wood, cross stitching baby quilts for his friends and families new additions. The Wed. Morning coffee time with his new church family became an anticipated highlight of his week. Dr and physical therapy appointments were arranged around that time. He loved taking donuts to the funeral home, only to take the teasing abuse of Ronnie, Chris and Taylor. They LOVED to 'egg him on'. (As well as did his brothers-in-law)  When work was slow due to weather or his health issues, he could talk on the phone for hours with his brothers John and Burton. Daily telephone talks or maybe a short trip to visit with his 'buddy' Dick were the start of most days. Some of those trips were precipitated by his need for Dick and Casey to assist in his latest project or an equipment breakdown. Dennies Repair, Jerry, Roger, Jr and Stanley's shops were also stopping points for their needed assistance in some those projects as well. He was a social butterfly so many trips to town were made just to 'pick up a part' or the need for a new tool.  Harbor Freight was his Hobby Lobby.  When visiting his brother in Ft Collins he and John's neighbor, Bob would be like kids in a candy shop when they made their trips to Harbor Freight. His shop in Prairie View was known as 'Huiting Hardware'.  He probably had the part but it might take some time to find it. He always anticipated the Lake John fishing trips he and his brother John (and sometimes Bob) would take. 'Chair time' with his furbabies and ipad (especially the last year) were at the top of his hobby list. This time was made better when momma could join them..

A special thing that Jerald did not know he could do was in his death he would become an eligible organ/tissue donor. Even in death he would continue to give on.

Jerald is survived by his wife Karen and their fur-baby, MissC; a daughter Kendra and husband Ed DeClue of Wellington, FL. Two grandchildren; Manny and Lindgren.

A brother, John Huiting and wife Mary of Loveland CO, a sister-in-law Jessie Huiting of Denver, CO; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Gloria DeWitt, Dennis and Cathy DeWitt, Roger and Roxie DeWitt, all of Prairie View, Brian and Michelle DeWitt of Hays and sister-in-law and husband Doris and Kenny VanKooten of Holland MI.  Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jay and Lillie, his father and mother-in-law Dick and Ila DeWitt, his oldest brother Burton Huiting and niece Linda Huiting.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the United Presbyterian Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastors Chris Davis, Harlan Nonhof & Darlene Nonhof officiating.  Burial will follow in the Luctor Cemetery, Phillips County, KS.

Visitation will be from 12:00 to 9:00 Saturday & Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Water Wells for Africa, Luctor Cemetery Cross Fund or Salina Regional Chaplain Program.