Jerry Isom McKnelly (81) of Louisville

Jerry Isom McKnelly, 81, of Louisville passed away at 3:15 pm Saturday, October 1, 2022 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Jerry was born on April 14, 1941 at home in Louisville the son of Isom and Edna (Bryan) McKnelly. He served his country honorably in the US Army during Vietnam. He worked many different jobs through the years with the last being the Superintendent for the Village of Louisville. Jerry loved to garden, and to take motorcycle rides and to ride his side by side in later years. He also loved to take care of his dogs. Jerry was a member of the Louisville American Legion Post #914, the Flora VFW Post 3999, and the GWRAA Motorcycle Riders.

Jerry is survived by his significant other of 32 years: Paige Kincaid of Louisville; his children: Joey (Pam) McKnelly of Louisville, Jana (Tim) Tolliver of Farina; 2 grandchildren: Emily (Jake) Draege of Farina, Jordan (Serena) McKnelly of Louisville; 2 great grandchildren: Miller and Fallon Draege; Paige’s children: Marinda Moore of Springfield, Missouri, and Emma Walker of Flora; sister: Jacabeth Drees of Beecher City, Illinois. He is also survived by several nieces, and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; daughter: Jody Lynne McKnelly; brother: Phillip McKnelly; sister: Mary Ellen Workman.

Funeral services to honor Jerry’s life will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the McGriff Funeral Home in Louisville with Carroll Ross officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the funeral home where friends may call from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Louisville American Legion Post #914. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory of Jerry please visit by clicking here.