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Jerome Benedict “Jerry” Divis

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Jerome Benedict “Jerry” Divis

Birth	:	26 May 1920 Brainard, Butler County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	1 May 2008 Brewster, Okanogan County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Union Rice Cemetery, Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.9481010, -84.6675034
Description	:	Wenatchee World - May 3, 2008 Well known Brewster resident, Jerome B. "Jerry" Divis, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the age of 87, due to natural causes. Jerry was well known in the community for many reasons. He and his wife, Mona had five boys, Thomas, Jerry, Sterling, James and John, all of whom grew up in Brewster, where they helped out on the family apple orchards and were active it athletics. Jerome was also well known in the community as the longtime owner of the Rio Theater. For decades, the Rio Theater served as the focal point for... Read More	Wenatchee World - May 3, 2008 Well known Brewster resident, Jerome B. "Jerry" Divis, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the age of 87, due to natural causes. Jerry was well known in the community for many reasons. He and his wife, Mona had five boys, Thomas, Jerry, Sterling, James and John, all of whom grew up in Brewster, where they helped out on the family apple orchards and were active it athletics. Jerome was also well known in the community as the longtime owner of the Rio Theater. For decades, the Rio Theater served as the focal point for entertainment in the Brewster area. When a 'G' rated movie was playing, Jerry was known as the best babysitter in town. Kids would be dropped off by the car load at the Rio, while parents would slip away for a night on the town, well, at least till the movies were over. Jerry was born in Brainard, NE, May 26, 1920, to parents, James Divis and Mary Divis (Kobza). Brainard was a Bohemian farming community, and Jerome spoke Czech at home on the family farm during the Depression. Jerome graduated from Brainard High School in 1938, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served aboard the USS Astoria, a New Orleans class heavy cruiser. Jerome was in and out of Pearl Harbor just days before and after its attack on December 7, 1942. Jerome manned a five inch gun and participated in heavy action in the Coral Sea and at Midway. However, it was the Battle of Savo Island, August 8-9, 1942, near Guadalcanal, where he almost lost his life during a surprise night attack by Japanese ships. In the end, the Astoria and about 238 of her crew were lost that night. Jerome, burned and injured by shrapnel, was forced to abandon ship and spent the night in shark infested waters. He was badly injured and a poor swimmer, but managed to cling to life by hanging onto an empty shell canister. That is when he heard cries for help. He managed to move in the direction of the sound to find a man (Joe Milner) injured and struggling to stay afloat. The two shared the shell canister and just managed to keep their chins above water. Jerome and Joe were picked up the next day, when they were on the edge of exhaustion. They became life long friends and their story inspired friends and relatives. Jerome spent two years at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA, where he endured many pioneering surgeries to recover from his injuries. That is where he met the love of his life, Okanogan native, Mona Marie Monroe, while she was visiting her sister in San Diego. The two were wed February 10, 1945. Later the two settled in Seattle, where Jerome attended the U of W. Later, they settled and lived the rest of their lives in Brewster. That's where they raised apples and their five sons. Jerome is known best for owning and operating the Rio Theater. As theater operator, he befriended hundreds of locals. He was also an avid goose hunter and bass fisherman. Jerome was preceded in death by his wife, Mona, in 1989. He was also preceded by his siblings, Mary Brukner, James Divis, Rosie Trojan and Ernest Divis, all of whom resided in Nebraska. He is survived by his sons and their wives, Tom and Beverly of South Beach, OR, Jerry and Lori of Spokane, WA, Sterling and Tammy and Jim and Dana, all of Brewster, and John and Connie of Wenatchee; and 14 grandchildren. A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Barnes Chapel, Brewster. Memorial Services will be held at the Brewster Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2008, and will be followed be a Burial Service at the Brewster Cemetery and Banquet at the Legion Hall in Brewster. Contact the Barnes Chapel for details. Those who wish, may make a memorial in his name to the American Legion Post 97 or American Legion Scholarship Fund.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Jerome Benedict “Jerry” Divis's memorial?
Jerome Benedict “Jerry” Divis's memorial is located at: Union Rice Cemetery, Union, Boone County, USA.
When did Jerome Benedict “Jerry” Divis death?
Jerome Benedict “Jerry” Divis death on 1 May 2008 in Brewster, Okanogan County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Jerome Benedict “Jerry” Divis's memorial?
Latitude: 38.9481010
Longitude: -84.6675034

Family Members:

Parent

James Divis

(1889 - 1971)

Mary F Kobza Divis

(1895 - 1990)

Spouse

Mona Marie Monroe Divis

(1925 - 1989)

Siblings

Mary L Divis Brukner

(1915 - 1997)

James A. Divis

(1918 - 2000)

Ernest Theodore “Foxy” Divis

(1925 - 2007)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Union Rice Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9481010, -84.6675034

2. Hamilton Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9547410, -84.6687910

3. Stansifer-Utz Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9419289, -84.6791534

4. Clarkson Family Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9401620, -84.6559290

5. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9356040, -84.6677790

6. Carter Family Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9370090, -84.6565470

7. Cleek Cemetery (Defunct)
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9341620, -84.6634140

8. Piper Family Cemetery
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9555050, -84.6514690

9. Philip Baker Cemetery (Defunct)
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9338890, -84.6730560

10. Marshall Family Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9438890, -84.6455560

11. Tanner Family Cemetery
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9653710, -84.6551220

12. Stanton Aylor Cemetery (Defunct)
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9675900, -84.6718100

13. Hugh Steers Burial Site
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9340280, -84.6865210

14. Tanner-Utz Cemetery (Defunct)
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9736110, -84.6655560

15. Butts-Snow-Loar Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9328660, -84.6396090

16. Adams-Riley Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9480560, -84.7019440

17. Booth Family Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9265990, -84.6450410

18. Abraham Rouse Cemetery
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9758330, -84.6672220

19. Wilson Cemetery (Defunct)
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9580560, -84.7027780

20. Smith Cemetery
Union, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9677780, -84.6969440

21. Margaret Aylor Cemetery
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9765250, -84.6447020

22. Holsclaw Cemetery
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9802430, -84.6541820

23. Grubbs Cemetery
Richwood, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9366260, -84.6262810

24. Zimmerman Cemetery (Defunct)
Florence, Boone County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9825000, -84.6616670