Gerald T. “Jerry” Starkey, 66 of Grand Island, NE died Saturday, November 15, 2025, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Rev. James Beran will celebrate the funeral mass. Interment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday morning until 10 a.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Cathedral or Grand Island Central Catholic for tuition assistance. You are encouraged to sign Jerry’s guestbook at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under his obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Jerry was born December 20, 1958, in Spalding, Nebraska, the son of Keith J. and Marie E. (McSharry) Starkey. He grew up on the family farm in Cedar Rapids, NE and graduated from Cedar Rapids High School in 1978. Jerry’s father died suddenly in 1972. Farming came natural to Jerry so although only a teenage boy at the time of his father’s passing Jerry played a big part in running the family farms. After high school Jerry moved to Grand Island where he attended Grand Island School of Business receiving his Associate Degree in Accounting. He worked at various hog operations throughout Central Nebraska and along with his brother Tim managed one such operation in Madison, NE. Jerry met the love of his life, Sharon Tenski in 1983, moving to Grand Island in 1984. They married June 22, 1985 in Grand Island making their home there. Jerry worked as a receiving clerk for Wheelers and later at Bag and Save grocery store, also working part-time evenings at Fine Liquors. He was custodian at the Law Enforcement Training Center and Grand Island Central Catholic before accepting the Head Custodial position at Barr Middle School, retiring in 2024 after 15 years of service.

Jerry was a grill master enjoying smoking all cuts of meats and vegetables but was best known for his BBQ ribs and grilled whole onion. He surrounded himself with beautiful patio planters enjoying his farm heritage right in his back yard. He was an avid Husker fan oftentimes remarking on the football and volleyball games in live time on his phone with his siblings. He enjoyed traveling, taking yearly family trips with Sharon and the kids and his regular get together with his siblings. Jerry and Sharon enjoyed many kinds of music and shows. They spent several enjoyable evenings at the Lied Center in Lincoln, and old-time rock and roll was on regular rotation. Jerry was a generous and gracious man always the first to help when anything or anyone needed it.

Jerry was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sharon Starkey

Daughter, Nicole Starkey, son, Joe (Daneila) Starkey, grandchildren, Adler, Veya, Brox Starkey, and his grand dog, Windsor.

Brother and sisters-in-law, Chuck (Bonnie) Starkey, sisters and brothers-in-law, Joan Starkey (Rod), Connie (Julian) Whitaker, Jan Starkey, Jill (Randy) Schreck, sister-in-law, Gladys Starkey, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Mary and Sally, brothers Larry and Tim Starkey, nephew, Kevin Starkey, and niece, Juliana Faridi.