Jerry Howard Stealy

Jerry Howard Stealy, 88, of Cedar Falls died Friday, October 25, 2024, at NewAldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls. He was born September 20, 1936, in Waterloo to Howard and Dorothy (Witt) Stealy. Jerry graduated from Waterloo East High School with the Class of 1954 and began working for Illinois Central Railroad — although anyone who ever saw the pristine state of Jerry's garage will understand why he ultimately decided that getting under the dirty old diesel engines was not a good career fit. While buying race car parts at Bancroft Motors in 1962, Jerry so impressed them with his knowledge that they offered him a job on the spot; it was the start of a 47-year career as an automotive service director.

That was not the only major event of 1962. On October 13, one year to the day after they met, Jerry was united in marriage to Judith K. Geisler. They were blessed with two sons Jeffrey and David. In 1989, Jerry and Judi moved to the Quad Cities where he began a 20-year career at Mills Chevrolet. During that time he won numerous customer satisfaction awards; he and Judi thoroughly enjoyed the trips they took to Maui as reward for his hard work.

In 1994, Jerry and Judi established Stealy Performance Machine in East Moline, working together with Jeff to build racing engines. Jerry and Judi returned to Cedar Falls in 2012.

Jerry was passionate about cars and especially loved drag racing. He was a fixture at NEITA Raceway in Cedar Falls, as well as at Eddyville, Cordova, Indianapolis, Brainerd, Denver and anywhere else he could chase championship points. Career highlights included runner-up at Southern nationals and NHRA Division 5 Super Stock Champion.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judi; his son, David (Sara) Stealy of Webster Groves, Missouri; granddaughter Samantha (Brandon Church) Stealy of Hillsdale, Illinois; grandson Jacob Stealy of East Moline, Illinois; great-grandson Kolter Church of Hillsdale, Illinois; brother-in-law Don Gjerdingen of Starbuck, Minnesota; and daughter-in-law Hope Sunlin of Baileyville, Illinois. Also surviving are many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff; his sister, Linda; his parents, Howard and Dorothy Stealy; and his parents-in-law, Enid Wilson, Ronald Geisler and Ralph Wilson.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 11 a.m. Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls with a luncheon to follow. The family will be present for visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will be at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery. Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Due to construction on Viking Road, please access the church by taking Hudson Road south to Technology Parkway. Turn right onto Technology Parkway and follow it around to Production Road, which connects with Viking Road.