Gerald Leroy "Jerry" Shilts

Rev. Gerald LeRoy “Jerry” Shilts, 77, of DeRidder, LA passed from this life on Sunday, August 25, 2013.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 20 years, Conchita Shilts of DeRidder, and a host of loving family and friends.  Bro. Shilts was the steel guitar player for the “Friends of the Family” gospel group.  The guitar, steel and dobro were among his favorite instruments to play.  His passion was missionaries and missions.  One of his hobbies was piloting his own plane.  He worked in a variety of occupations, including as a logger in both Wisconsin, where he was born and raised, and on the West Coast.  He worked on the Hoover Dam, on the microwave towers for the Olympics in Seoul,  South Korea and retired as a member of the Boilermakers Union.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Everett Shilts, Sr., and Veronica Shilts.

Visitation will be held from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Longville Pentecostal Church, 748 Longville Church Road, Longville. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the church. Rev. Larry Talent and Rev Marvin Hicks will co-officiate, with interment to follow in the Barrentine Cemetery on Memorial Church Road.