Jerome August Diers

Pastor Jerome Diers, age 75, of Franklin, KY, passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 6:45 AM at his residence.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 10th, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory.  Visitation will continue on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, 701 South Main Street, Franklin, KY from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM.  Funeral services will be held the same day, Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church.  After the funeral service, Pastor Jerome's wishes are to be cremated.

Pastor Jerome was born on July 28, 1948 in Hutchinson, MN to the late Roland W. Diers and the late Evelyn Christine (Anderson) Diers.  He is also preceded in death by a brother, Lyle Roger Diers.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy Edna (Butterfass) Diers; 3 children, Peter David Diers (Shannon Lydia) of Keller, TX, Aaron Daniel Diers (Mandy) of Leo, IN and Abigail Susan Diers (Brian Christopher Luttinen) of Glen Carbon, IL; 7 grandchildren, Christopher, Ian, Kyle, Rhys, Tamsyn, Asher, and Jack; 7 brothers; 1 sister; and 24 nieces and nephews.

Pastor Jerome was a graduate of Texas Lutheran University and earned a degree in Philosophy & Theology and then attended/graduated Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary where he earned his Masters of Divinity Degree.  In high school, he was a member of FFA and traveled to Europe after graduation through the organization.  In his earlier years, he worked as a dairy farmer in Waverly, MN for 8 years before pastoring for 38 years.  Those churches included St. John Lutheran, Marietta, MN, St. Paul Lutheran, Nassau, MN, Faith Lutheran Church, Black Hammer, MN, Our Saviors, Riceford, MN, First Lutheran, Princeton, IL and Zion Lutheran, Franklin, KY.  During those 38 years of ministry, he performed hundreds of baptisms, weddings, confirmations and funerals and delivered close to 3,000 sermons.  Pastor Jerome enjoyed vacations with his family in Padre Island, Wisconsin Dells and Glacier National Park.   His hobbies included woodworking and reading.  Pastor Jerome saw everyone as a unique and special person regardless of background or capabilities.  The way he impacted the people around him was his compassion and sharing the love of Jesus.  He especially loved all of the children in his church and helped with all of their church activities.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory website is www.gilbertfhonline.com. The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844.