Franklin – Jerry Lee Mehlenbacher, 76, formerly of Sandy Creek & Ontario, NY, died of a heart attack on March 21, 2023 at Maryview Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA.

Jerry was born on November 18, 1946 in Rochester, NY to the late Bert Mehlenbacher and Alice Zahler Mehlenbacher, Sandy Creek, NY. He was a 1964 graduate of Marion, NY High school.  Thereafter he joined the US Army and was shot in Vietnam on June 1, 1965, thereby receiving a Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart.  He was a member of the VFW Post 4411, Franklin, VA and High Street United Methodist Church in Franklin.

Jerry worked at his own construction company in Wayne County, NY as well as a Bartender at the Barn Door in Ontario, NY.  He married Joan Grandin of Florida and they had 3 sons, sadly ending in a divorce.  He married Sally Cummings of Woodville, NY on February 17, 2001 in Franklin, VA.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sally; his three sons by his 1st marriage, Robert Mehlenbacher of Livonia, NY, Jerry Mehlenbacher II of Williamson, NY, and David Hall of Florida; grandchildren, Alexis Mehlenbacher of Newark, NY and Seth Mehlenbacher (Ciarra) of Irondequoit, NY; a new great granddaughter, Vivian Mehlenbacher; step children Danny Shultz, Kristina Cates, Michael Perryman and Kevin Perryman as well as grandchilden Ashley, Tyler, Victoria and Kyle; two sisters, Sharon Orbaker of Columbus, Ohio and Donna Redick (Scott) of Jacksonville, Florida; a brother, Tracy Mehlenbacher (Janis) of San Antonio, Texas; two nieces, Amy Ferreby and Teresa MacNaughton; two nephews, Ryan (Stacey) Orbaker and Tim Orbaker; and three great nieces and two great nephews.

Jerry enjoyed fishing at Sandy Pond, NY with his mom and sons, country music, and dancing.  He was an avid Nascar Jeff Gordon fan having a huge Nascar collection in his shop and watched every race surrounded by his two dogs, TeddyBear and Beau, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge before him.

Per Jerry's wishes there will be no calling hours.  A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 1PM Monday April 3, 2023  in Wright Funeral Home, 206 West 4th Ave. Franklin, VA with Rev. Ned Alderman officiating.  A private final resting place will be at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jerry's name to the Isle of Wight, VA or Franklin, VA Humane Society or VFW Post 4411 Franklin, VA.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org