Jerry Hager Sr., 73, Dittmer

Jerry Hager Sr., 73, of Dittmer died Nov. 27, 2021, in St. Louis. Mr. Hager served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1969 and was a member of the House Springs Church of Christ. He will be remembered for his smile and laughter. Born April 7, 1948, in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of the late Lora Mae (Temple) and Oscar “Jack” Hager.

He is survived by his wife: Diana (Parton) Hager, whom he married in June 1975. He also is survived by seven children: James Lam Jr. of Summerfield, Ill., Cindy Mead of Cedar Hill, Shelly (Bruce) Gutreuter of Fairview Heights, Ill., Dana Lam (fiance Adam Browning) of Fenton, Shawna Walker (fiance Brian Emigh) of Fenton, Linda (Mark) Portwood of Dittmer and Jerry Hager Jr. of Dittmer; 25 grandchildren: Geri, Barbara, Christy, Ryan, Aleta, David, James, Rodney, Jimi, Courtney, Brittany, Kane, Mercedes, Brenden, Bianca, Rebecca, Alexis, Jessica, Joseph, Taylor, Blake, Grace, Alana, Drake and Gage; 23 great-grandchildren: Bryson, JB, Ava, Lexi, Jesse James, JR, David, Declyn, Liam, Kymber, Nia, Connor, Daylyn, Cayson, Adalyha, Trinity, Jackson, Piper, Brayden, Mason, Aurora, Daegan and Jameson; and nine siblings: Jane Lachance, Wanda Hager, Kay (Gary) Henley, Vera (Paul) Clinton, Cheryl (Steve) Andrews, Jimmie Hager, Barb (Gerald) Hager, Sandra (Jim) Grimm and Connie (Dave) Wuebbels.

He also was preceded in death by five siblings: Frank Lachance, Jack Hager, Louise Hager, Bea Khoury and Mary Alice Hager.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 9) at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6300 Hwy. 30, in Cedar Hill. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday (Dec. 10) at the funeral home, followed by a graveside service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Cedar Hill. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary.