June 24, 1948 – July 6, 2001
Marty Jokerst was born on June 24, 1948 into two very important and loving families in Crystal City – the Jokerst and Pruneau families. After graduating from St Pius Marty joined the local National Guard unit. He graduated from Jefferson College and married Cathy Earls in 1968. Also in that year he started work at Western Electric’s St. Louis plant, then a subsidiary of AT&T. Marty’s National Guard unit was activated and sent to Viet Nam. Marty achieved the rank of SP4 while in active duty. After returning to the US and to civilian life, Marty returned to his work at Western Electric (later Lucent Technologies) and was there for many years.
Marty and his father Ben loved to hunt for arrowheads and fossils along the Mississippi River Valley south of Crystal City. They also spent time on these same activities in Ste Genevieve County as well as spelunking trips in the cliffs along the Mississippi. They specifically concentrated the latter in caves near Shot Tower north of Crystal City.
During his married life Marty was a volunteer fireman and sang in the Sacred Heart Church choir. He and Cathy worked as volunteers at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. They were proud parents of Scott who has two children Ben and Ella. He was a member of the Festus Fire Department, JMH Auxiliary, VFW 3777, the Knights of Columbus 1230, the Missouri Archaeology Society, the St. Louis Orchid Society and the Arnold Gun Club.
Marty, wife Cathy and mother Louise died in a tragic auto accident along I-55 on July 6, 2001.
Submitted by Randy Dietrich with information and assistance from Janet Bollinger, older sister of Marty.
