Charles Jerome “Jerry” DeClue, 80, of De Soto died Jan. 1, 2021, at his home. Mr. DeClue served in the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard. He retired from General Motors in Hazelwood where he had worked in the parts department. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in De Soto, a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus and a member of De Soto K of C Council Post 1185, where he served as the bar manager for more than 27 years. He was a long-time active member of the De Soto City Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, squirrel and groundhog hunting, spending time outside, cooking and canning. Born Feb. 4, 1940, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Charles Joseph and Verna Barbara (Sampson) DeClue.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years: Jonell L. “Jonie” (Litton) DeClue of De Soto; two daughters: Anita (Terry Soulon) DeClue-Brinkley of De Soto and Kelley (Joe) Douglas of Hillsboro; two sons: Tim (Cindy) Hill of De Soto and Terry (Elisha) Hill of De Soto; 11 grandchildren: Anisha (Bryan) Pinson of Park Hills, Andrew (Venita) Krodinger of Hawaii, Aaron Michael Hill of Imperial, Kelton Douglas of Hillsboro, Breanna (Travis Naeger) of Farmington, Emily DeClue of Festus, Miranda DeClue of Festus, Malia Hill of De Soto, Mason Hill of De Soto, Dylan King of St. Louis and Taylor King of High Ridge; two brothers: Eugene (Shelby) DeClue of Festus and Donnie DeClue of Kentucky; a sister: Betty DeClue of Kentucky; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son: Charles “Jeff” DeClue; a grandson: Jacob Douglas; a brother: Larry DeClue; and a sister: Ann Phillips.
Visitation is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at Mahn Funeral Home, 900 N. Main St., in De Soto. A funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in De Soto, officiated by Father Alexander Anderson. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to Adopt-An-Angel at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in De Soto. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home.