Melvern--Jerry Dean Arb, 65, passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Jerry was born on February 17, 1953 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Orville and Lois Kramer Arb.

Jerry graduated from Melvern High School in 1971 and lived the majority of his life in the Melvern community.

Jerry was a member of the Operators Union Local 101 as a Heavy Equipment Operator for many years. During Jerry's years as a heavy equipment operator he worked several jobs across the country including the building of Melvern Lake and as a Crane Operator at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant. He retired from McAnany Construction in 2018.

Jerry was well liked by many during his days on different job sites working outages for Flour Daniel around the country in places such as Texas and Virginia to name a few. In addition to operating heavy equipment Jerry was a cowboy who loved to rope and ride. Jerry farmed and raised livestock most of his life. He was owner/operator for his own truck line, "Jerry Arb Trucking" for a period of time.

One constant in Jerry's wide ranging working experiences was his smile. Jerry was known for a contagious smile, charm, and for bringing a smile to others with his quick witted humor.

Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Corey Wade Arb in 1994; by his son-in-law, Matthew Lee Criss; and his parents, Orville and Lois Arb all of the Melvern Community.

Jerry is survived by his two daughters, Angie Criss of Melvern and Anissa Arb of Austin, Texas; his two brothers, Steve Arb and Tom Arb, both of Melvern; his sister, Pam Gillard of Melvern; three grandchildren, Corey Criss, Brock Criss and Mariah Criss; and one great-grandchild, Mattie Nixon.

Funeral services for Jerry will be at 11:30am on Friday, January 18 at the Melvern United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Melvern Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Jerry Arb Memorial Fund, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS. 66451.