Captain John Edward Yerger U.S. Army (Ret.)

Funeral services celebrating the life of Captain John Edward Yerger, U.S. Army (Ret.), 79, of Monroe, LA will be held at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe, LA with Reverend Clay Causey officiating. Interment will follow in the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, LA.

With lineage of service to our nation dating to the American Revolution, Capt. Yerger proudly answered the call to defend our nation, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1964 and earning his Master Parachutist Badge with the 82nd Airborne Division. He completed the first of two combat tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, 327th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, earning the infantry Combat Action Badge and Vietnam Parachutist Badge. While leading the fighting soldiers of the 101st “Screaming Eagles” in the “No Slack” 2nd Battalion and during his second tour, Capt. Yerger earned his second infantry Combat Action Badge and also suffered serious combat wounds resulting in award of the Purple Heart and numerous citations to include: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Cross of Valor (with palm frond). Capt. Yerger retired with honor in January of 1982.

John enjoyed painting, hunting and fishing. Service to his community included: co-founding Northeast Louisiana Youth Soccer Association (NELSA), serving as Head Athletic Trainer at Neville High School, serving the Cub/Boy Scouts of America, the Lions Club, the American Veterans Post 66 (Monroe, LA), the 82nd Airborne Association, the 101st Airborne Association, the Disabled Veterans of America, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William P. Yerger, Sr. and Jane Yerger; brother, William P. Yerger, Jr.; Aunt/Uncle Xavia and Pete McGee.

John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mrs. Jackie Yerger; sons, CDR Jaesen (Stacy) Yerger, U.S. Navy (Ret.) of Jacksonville, FL and Justen (Amanda) Yerger of Rayville, LA; grandchildren, Tristan, Jackson, Savannah, Brooks and Bella Yerger, Adalynn McDowell, Anna Brakefield, and Audrey Freeland; brother, Mickey (Gwen) Yerger and their children, Shawn, Chris (Zara), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jay Van, Donnie Wallace, Lee Williams, Jr., Brandon Parker, Adam Hansen, and Tyler Stewart. Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael and Gabriel Bower.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Disabled Veterans of America or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.