Jerry E. Lash, 69, died on Monday morning, February 7th, 2011, at home in Edwardsville, IL. Jerry was born to Merle E. Lash and Ruth L. Lash (Matheson) in Shelbyville, IL, on August 7th, 1941. Jerry served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, and he received a Letter of Commendation for Outstanding Performance of Duty for defending a group of fellow servicemen attacked in New York City. He married Linda I. Scholz on June 29th, 1968 in St. Louis, MO, and they were together for almost 45 years. Jerry had two careers. He started out in the oil industry, working in Wholesale Marketing and Distribution in Dallas and Houston, TX. Jerry also had a full career with the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he retired as deputy director of the St. Louis Branch Office in 2008. Jerry spent his retirement years with his wife Linda at their home in Edwardsville, IL, where they were members of First Baptist Church of Maryville, IL. He is survived by his wife Linda I. Lash of Edwardsville, IL; his daughter Rebecca A. Lash and her husband Frank W. Watson, Jr. of Frederick, MD; his son Clinton E. Lash of St. Louis, MO; and his son Preston E. Lash of Iowa City, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review.

Obituary credit: The Herald & Review