J.D. Ellison

Jerry Dean "JD" Ellison, 81, of Broken Bow, NE, passed away on February 9, 2026.

JD was born July 6, 1944, in Fremont to James Donald and Laura Ann (Ptacek) Ellison. JD graduated from Kearney High School in 1962. JD was a proud former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran.

He married Barbara Elaine Davis on August 30, 1964, at Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney. They were blessed with a daughter Cheryl Renée. They later divorced.

He married Virginia Ann (Gillming) Fruhling on August 1, 1971, at First Lutheran Church in Kearney. They were blessed with sons Justin Dean and Jonathan Dale.

JD was a huge fan of muscle cars and spent much of his career in auto body repair and auto parts sales. He owned many cars throughout his life, but most recently bought a 1940 Ford that was the pride of his collection. He loved spending time with friends and family, and almost never missed catching up with his daily coffee group.

Survivors include his daughter Cheryl Renée Jarosz of Kansas City with grandsons Logan Tedaeus and Noah Davis; son Justin Dean (Brendie) Ellison of Kearney with granddaughter Jessa Nealy and grandson Jacob Tyler; and son Jonathan Dale (Dessirae) Ellison of Peekskill, NY with granddaughter Makena Marie and grandson Jameson Joseph Wallace, and great-granddaughter Blanche Eloise.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia, twin sister Judy Kaye Heller, and sisters Donna Jean Lallman and Betty Ann Reese.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the Evangelical Free Church in Broken Bow, NE. Burial will follow a luncheon at the Church at 1:30 PM at the Prairie Center Cemetery near Kearney. Memorials are suggested to Custer Care Center. A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Sunday, February 22nd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary, the register book may be signed from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance or condolence may be left at www.govierbrothers.com