On Saturday July 24, 2021 Reverend Jerry Leonard Heard gained his eternal reward at 12:37 AM, at the age of 78 years, and 3 weeks. He passed peacefully with his family by his side.

Jerry was born on July 3,1943 in Purdy, Missouri to Virgil Early Heard and Betty Jane (Haney) Heard. He grew up in Webster County; Diggins and Seymour areas. He attended Schools at Gentry and Seymour Missouri.

On March 3,, 1961 Jerry married the love of his life of 60 years; Linda F. Heard, in Commerce Oklahoma, where they eloped at the young age of 17 & 15 years of age. Linda was his destined soul mate, one he couldn’t go on living without. To this union 5 children were born. 4 girls; Rhonda Lynn Bell, Melody Ann Sadler, Martina Marie Crum and Husband Jonathon, and Robin Annette Mantooth, husband; Denver, all reside in Ozark, MO. 1 boy; Jerry D. Heard, wife Lana reside in Fordland, MO.

Jerry L. Heard was a licensed Minister of approximately 58 successful years with the United Pentecostal Church International. His call into the Ministry began in 1963, first in the Evangelist field for several years, then they began Pastoring churches in several States from Arizona, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma. Their burden rested in Ozark, Missouri where they started a new Home Mission work that turned into a beautiful place of worship. Their first service started under a big oak tree down by the Finley River, at Ozark City Park. Bishop & Sis Heard was a tremendous blessing to the Ozark Community for over 35 years and impacted many lives. He retired in July 2015 from Pastoring Ozark Mountain United Pentecostal Church. Their burden and torch was passed to his Daughter and Son In Law; Rev. Jon Crum and Tina crum. Bishops vision and burden for Ozark is still going strong in Ozark MO today. The church is now known as Ozark Pentecostal Church.

In addition to the work of the Ministry, Jerry learned a lifelong trade of Home Building & Remodeling, and Construction. He built the final home place where they resided in Ozark, MO for 35 years.

He is survived by his 5 children, Rhonda, Melody, Jerry, Tina and Robin. 1 sister; Betty Jane Swearengin, 6 grand-children; Misty D Bell, Springfield, Mo. Lacie Bittick (Ricky) from Ozark, MO. Caleb Crum (Ashley), Summerall MS., Justin Mantooth (Danyell) Nixa, MO. Priscilla Mantooth-Spickard (Nick) Ozark, MO., Tyler Crum, Ozark, MO. Kody Lawrence (Wendy) Texas, and Kelsie Lawrence-Starnes (Zack) from Springfield MO ; 9 great-grandchildren, Lexus Brannan-Bell, Denim Brannan-Bell, Grant Bell, Tyler Crum, Barrett Mantooth, Emmitt Mantooth, Jayden Sadler, Erin Grace Bittick, and Ryder & Rylan Bittick; brother -in- law; Tom Dennis (wife Jane) Diggins, MO, and sister -in- law Debbie Pogue from Diggins MO along with a host of nieces, nephews and precious friends and family.

Preceding him in death are; His parents; Virgil & Betty Heard, his loving wife; Linda F. Heard, son-in-law; Bryan K. Sadler, Grandson; Jerin K. Sadler; great grandson; Wyatt Bittick, 3 brothers; Floyd Heard, William Jesse Heard, and Virgil E Heard. 6 sisters; Marie Cantrell, Margaret Cummins, Mabel Evans, Hazel Heard, Juanita June Bennett and Leota Twylah Willard.

Services for Jerry will be at 11:00 am Friday, July 30, 2021 at Ozark Mountain Pentacostal Church 4619 Selmore Road Selmore, MO under the care of Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Burial will follow at at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday July 29, 2021 in the funeral home.