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FRANKLIN – Jerry Lee Mehlenbacher, 76, formerly of Sandy Creek and Ontario, New York, died of a heart attack on March 21, 2023 at Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth.

He joined the U.S. Army and was shot in Vietnam on June 1, 1965, thereby receiving a Medal of Honor. He was a member of the VFW Post 4411, Franklin and High Street United Methodist Church in Franklin.

Jerry worked at his own construction company in Wayne County, New York, as well as a bartender at the Barn Door in Ontario, New York.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sally; his three sons by his first marriage, Robert Mehlenbacher of Livonia, New York, Jerry Mehlenbacher II of Williamson, New York and David Hall of Florida; two grandchildren; a new great-granddaughter; stepchildren, Danny Shultz, Kristina Cates, Michael Perryman and Kevin Perryman as well as four grandchildren; two sisters, Sharon Orbaker of Columbus, Ohio and Donna Redick of Jacksonville, Florida; a brother, Tracy Mehlenbacher of San Antonio, Texas; and two nieces, a great-niece and great-nephews.

Per Jerry’s wishes there will be no calling hours. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday April 3 in Wright Funeral Home, 206 West 4th Ave. in Franklin, with the Rev. Ned Alderman officiating. A private final resting place will be at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jerry’s name to the Isle of Wight or Franklin Humane Society or VFW Post 4411 in Franklin.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org