Jerry Pembroke

November 18, 1948 - March 6, 2018

Jerry Pembroke, 69, of New Castle, died on the morning of March 6, 2018 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. He was born November 18, 1948 in Litchfield, Illinois, a son of the late Melvin and Gertrude (Mulligan) Pembroke. Jerry was a graduate of Hillsboro High School in Illinois and then volunteered for the US Army where he served as a Combat Engineer in Vietnam. He married the love of his life, Karen L. Balz, on August 30, 1969. After serving in the Army for eight years, Jerry worked for the US Government where he managed the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Following retirement, Jerry served as a Henry County Memorial Park Ranger and a special Reserve Deputy with the Henry County Sheriff’s Department. He loved law enforcement and greatly enjoyed time spent with his close friend, Sheriff Ric McCorkle. Jerry was a member of the VFW Post #1282, American Legion Post #137, Losantville Lodge #674 F&AM, American Indian Council, and the Henry County Saddle Club. He was an avid storyteller and enjoyed telling jokes and laughing. Jerry liked being outdoors, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those left to cherish Jerry’s memory include his wife of 48 years, Karen L. Pembroke, a son, Jerry Allen Pembroke of Boca Raton, FL; a daughter, Dawn Michelle (husband: Sam) Davis of Phoenix, AZ; three granddaughters, Kayla (husband: Rob) Craig, Danielle Purtlebugh and Blake Lowe; four great-grandchildren, Karmen, Easton, Lily, and Helana; his step-mother, Helen Pembroke of Corvallis, MT; two brothers, Robert (wife: Kathy) Trader and Bill (wife: Ronita) Rufus and a sister, Patty Rufus. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Pembroke and his mother and step-father, Gertrude and Pat Rufus. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 10, 2018, at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Drouin officiating. A Masonic memorial service will be held at 1:45 pm followed by military honors conducted by contingents from the US Army, VFW, and American Legion. Friends may call from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm Saturday at the funeral home. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Jerry Pembroke.