Jerel E. Poe

Jerel E. Poe, 88 of Kearney passed away Monday, June 8, 2026 at The Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Kearney. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2026 at The Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in Grand Island, NE with military honors provided by Grand Island United Veterans Honor Group and the United States Navy Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2026 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to the Campbell American Legion Post #169. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Jerel (Jerry) Edwin Poe was born July 30, 1937, in Maysville, Kentucky to William H. and Elizabeth (Reagan) Poe. He was raised in Maysville, KY. Jerel joined the United States Navy where he met his wife, Sandra Burley. The couple was blessed with five children, Janice, Karen, Cheryl, Betty and William. Jerel proudly served in the United States Navy from August 1954 until his honorable discharge in August 1974. After 20 years of service, Jerry retired and the family settled in Campbell, NE. Jerry and Sandy owned and operated the café for several years. Jerry later had his Poe Construction business until he retired. There wasn’t a thing he couldn’t build or fix himself. He always had a cup of coffee, joke, a trick, a surprise, and a big bowl of ice cream at the ready. Jerry and Sandy enjoyed traveling our beautiful country. Most of all, Jerry loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandra Poe of Kearney, NE; children, Janice (Poe) and Randy Davidson of Hastings, NE, Karen (Poe) and Kent Overfield of Campbell, NE, Betty Poe of Hastings, NE, Will and Jill (Reiman) Poe of Lawrence, NE; grandchildren, Phillip Poe, Nathan Davidson, Ashley Davidson (Johnny Robertson), Jessica (Tolle) and Aaron Berge, Sean Alcorn, Derek and Bre Poe, Kaite (Poe) and Ben Roth, Jason and Brianna Poe, Maci Poe (Jackson Balfour); 10 great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Poe; brother, William “Bill” Poe; sisters, Nancy and Betsy Ann; and daughter, Cheryl (Poe) Tolle.

Jerel E. Poe

July 30, 1937 - June 8, 2026