MELVERN, Kan. – Ralph “Jerry” Silver, 91, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook, Kan. He was born June 4, 1934, in Burlingame, Kan., the son of Ralph and Lucille (Hogle) Silver.
Jerry, as he was known to all, grew up in Burlingame, and had lived in Colombia and Brazil as a missionary, and then Florida, before moving to Lyndon, Kan., for 11 years. He then moved to rural Melvern, Kan., where he has lived for the last 33 years.
Jerry graduated from the University of Kansas and began his missionary service and teaching. When he returned to Lyndon he began work for the Osage County Soil Conservation Service, and did this until his retirement.
On June 6, 1958, Jerry was united in marriage to Ruth Meier, in Kansas City, Mo. To this union five children were born, Mark, Joan, Beth, Becky and Amy.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lucille; brother, Virgil Silver; and a granddaughter, Morgan Woodruff.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 67 years; his son, Mark (Sandy) Silver, of Pulaski, Tenn.; four daughters, Joan (Jonathan) Starch, Melvern, Beth (Dan) Freerksen, Topeka, Kan., Becky White, Melvern, and Amy Silver, Melvern; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the First Church of God, Melvern. Burial will be in Melvern Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jerry Silver Memorial Fund, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
