John "Jersey" Jermier

John Allen “Jersey” Jermier, 92, of Cedar Falls, IA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, April 12. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Joanne and their four children, John of Cape Coral, FL, Sara (Tim) Congrove of Lake Quivira, KS, Jim (Wendy) Jermier of Cedar Falls, IA, Steve (Lyndsy) of Norwalk, IA, daughter-in-law Sue Jermier of Cape Coral, FL, grandchildren Spencer, Zack, Chase and Maggie Congrove, Tyler, Hunter, Colton, River, Riley, Ryan, Allison and Sam Jermier, six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who adored him. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Irene Jermier, siblings Dorothy Shahan, Kay Zanger, Don Jermier, Mike Jermier, and brothers and sisters-in-law Mel Shahan, Earl Zanger, Dale Groesbeck, Jean Groesbeck and Sharon Jermier and his great granddaughter, Maeve Congrove. Jersey was born on July 19, 1932 in Charles City, IA to Irene and George Jermier. It was in Charles City that he met the love of his life Joanne Loye at the young age of 15 and they have been inseparable ever since. Following graduation from Charles City High School, Jersey enlisted in the US Navy in October of 1950 where he served on the aircraft carrier USS Essex during the Korean War. Joanne later joined him in Bremerton, Washington where they were united in marriage on August 31, 1951 at Our Lady of the Sea Catholic Church. Jersey went on to proudly serve his country for four years before being honorably discharged in 1954. Following his service in the US Navy, Jersey and Joanne returned to Iowa where he went to work for Coca-Cola in Cedar Rapids before enrolling at Coe College on the GI Bill. He graduated summa cum laude from Coe in ‘58 and later earned his master’s from the University of Iowa in 1965. Jersey was a multi-sport athlete, letterwinner and captain for the Kohawks, earning three letters in football and baseball and one in track. He was later inducted into the Coe College Athletics Hall of Fame. Following his graduation from Coe, Jersey went on to become the head football coach at Postville, IA. In Jersey’s only season at Postville, he led the Pirates to an improbable conference championship. The next year he returned to Coe as an assistant football and basketball coach. Jersey and Joanne welcomed their first son John to the family in 1961 while coaching at Coe. Jersey’s journey took him to Wayne, NE as the head football and baseball coach at Wayne State College. While coaching at Wayne, Jersey and Joanne welcomed their daughter Sara to the family. Jersey had a stellar coaching career at Wayne State with multiple conference championships, including routing the vaunted Bill Parcells’ defense at Hastings College. Jersey was later inducted into the Wayne State Hall of Fame for his success on the gridiron and diamond. Jersey’s coaching career continued at Colorado State University as linebacker’s coach for the Rams. After 2 seasons at CSU, University of Iowa head football coach Frank Lauterbur recruited Jersey back to his home state to serve as the defensive line coach for the Hawkeyes. While in Iowa City, Jersey and Joanne welcomed their third child, Jim, in 1972. Jersey transitioned to athletic administration for the Hawkeyes at the request of Athletic Director, Bump Elliott in 1974. While serving as assistant athletic director at Iowa, he coordinated recruiting, was a key fundraiser for the athletics department, and was instrumental in the creation of the I Club. His prowess in public relations and fundraising got the attention of Kansas State University, where he was hired as the Director of Athletics in 1976. It was in Manhattan, Kansas, where Jersey and Joanne welcomed their fourth child, Steve, in 1977. After his time in Manhattan, Jersey had a brief stint in the hotel industry. However, his heart was always in athletics and he returned to the profession in the spring of 1980, when Stan Sherriff recruited him to return to his home state to serve as associate athletics director at the University of Northern Iowa. At UNI, Jersey helped the athletic department make the transition from Division II to Division I. What Jersey originally thought would be a two year appointment turned into a relationship with UNI that spanned decades. He “semi” retired from UNI in 1997, but went on to serve the athletics department in different capacities until finally hanging up the cleats in the last two years. Later Jersey was inducted to the 2001 UNI Hall of Fame class. Jersey was a friend to all who knew him, spanning the globe. He loved his family, friends, coaches, players, administrators and most of all, his wife of 73 years, Joanne. Jersey would be the first to tell you that he couldn’t have accomplished everything in his career without Joanne, and their love for one another was inspirational. Jersey and Joanne loved spending time with their grandchildren, whether it was first communions, graduations, sporting events or music just to name a few. They placed a high priority on family. Jersey loved to golf and there was never a dull moment with him on the course! His foot wedge, gentle “toss” out of the bunker, and teeing it up in front of the tee markers were the stuff of legend. He also enjoyed fishing, especially trips to SW Florida, Canada, Pool 9 on the Mississippi River, Martinson “Lake” and Waubay Lake, SD with their dear friends Jerry and Geraldine Martinson. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be from 3-6pm Wednesday, April 23 at Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls, with a rosary at 2:30pm and a vigil to conclude the visitation. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to mass at church. Military honors provided by AmVets Post #49. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Charles City, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Jersey Jermier Athletic Scholarship at UNI foundation, St Pats Catholic Church, Catholic Charities, or Cedar Valley Hospice. If you were fortunate enough to know Jersey, you knew he was a friend to everyone he met. His stories and jokes were legendary. If you were a player, coach, administrator, friend, or family member, you know this world is a happier place because of his time here. To view a collection of newspaper articles from Jersey's life, use the link below. https://drive.google.com/file/d/11ye5XfIZb_JB91v6KYcTvMz_3VhRXx2O/view?usp=sharing

John "Jersey" Jermier

July 19, 1932 - April 12, 2025