Geraldine "Jerri" Lynn Stewart was born on October 4, 1945 in Crawfordsville, Indiana to Laurel F. and Juanita Darleen (Stockdale) Gerold, and died December 20, 2023 at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville, IN.

She grew up with her parents and four brothers in a loving home where she developed a servant's heart that carried through her life.  Jerri loved playing sports growing up, including softball and basketball (despite her petite 4'11" stature), and was one of the first females to earn a letter jacket at Crawfordsville High School.  She graduated in 1963 from CHS and went on to attend Indiana State University.  She married the love of her life, Frank "Jeff" Stewart on April 17, 1966 at First Baptist Church, Crawfordsville.  Jeff and Jerri had four children and moved around a bit as a military family.  Affectionately known as Miss Jerri, she adored children and was an Early Childhood Educator who took every opportunity to teach children, including Sunday School, Youth Groups, children's choirs, Girl Scouts, and was the Preschool Director at First Baptist Church, Herndon, VA for many years.  She also loved music, always an active member of the choir, playing and directing handbells, and directing several children's cantatas.  Jeff and Jerri retired to their hometown of Crawfordsville in 1998.  She was a member of First Christian Church. She continued volunteering for many organizations including CASA, Girl Scouts, and Meals on Wheels among many others. Jerri enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, whether camping, going to the beach, or crushing everyone at dominoes.

Jerri was a beloved wife, mother and follower of Christ who selflessly put others before herself.  She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers John, Gregg, and Kevin.  She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Frank "Jeff" Stewart, her children Michael Stewart, Kristen (Andy) Hudson, Timothy Stewart and Heather (Andy) Borgerding.  She is also survived by her brother Laurel "Larry" Gerold, Jr., sister-in-law Karen Gerold, brother-in-law Kent (Kathy) Stewart and sister-in-law Arleen Stewart.  Additionally, she is survived by eleven grandchildren, Ryan O'Neill, William O'Neill, Carolyn (Brad) Szabo, Jakob Borgerding, Charlotte Hudson, Samson Stewart, Caleb Immel, Callen Borgerding, Benjamin Hudson, Eden Borgerding, James Immel, as well as 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, December 27 at First Christian Church, Crawfordsville, with Pastor Darla Goodrich officiating.  Visitation will be from 12pm-2pm at the church.  Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery South.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Franciscan Health in Lafayette, IN and Crawfordsville, IN for taking care of their beloved Jerri.