Jerry Dale Lay, son of the late Ernest T Collins and Grace Collins, was born on April 24, 1949, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on January 15, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 75 years.

Mr. Lay was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving in Korea and he was a former heavy equipment operator for Noranda Aluminum. He attended Temple Baptist Church in Sikeston, Missouri, and was a resident of Dexter, Missouri. He enjoyed tinkering with small engines.

On November 1, 1968, in Sikeston, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Belinda Sartin. Mrs. Lay preceded him in death on November 21, 2020.

He is survived by his son, Robert Lay and his wife Jennifer of Dexter; by his brother and sisters, Robert Turnage, Robin Turnage and Connie McRoy; by four grandchildren, Ashley Lay, Brittani Lay, Jordan Lay, and Matthew Dobbs; and by many great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Tim Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangement