Gerald Dean Wichern (Jerry) was born on August 26th, 1940, in Ashton, Nebraska. Dad died at home after a brief illness with Mom by his side.

Dad loved the beach, fishing, camping, Western movies, and especially family get-togethers. He also enjoyed working on cars, fixing, and rebuilding engines, and loved to keep busy tinkering around the house or at his "shop". Dad had an artistic side of him as well with an appreciation for architecture. He was a collector of old cars/trucks and was particularly proud of his '34 and '35 Dodge pickup trucks.

Dad loved antique shopping with our mom, Concha (his "lil Wolf") and wife of almost 60 years. They were married in El Paso, Texas on October 8, 1961.  Prior to meeting and marrying mom, Dad served in the US Army. After his service, they married and lived for 2 years in Nebraska. Dad came to Lompoc with mom and their firstborn in 1964 than 6 months later they purchased a home that they still live in today. He was Hired at Johns Manville in 1966 and retired 37 years later. He was creative, intelligent and was always making changes to his landscapes and our home. There was always a project going on. The most important thing about dad was that he was a Godly man. His faith was important to him, and he would usually talk to people and ask them if they personally knew the Lord as their savior. Dad would walk you out to your car to say goodbye no matter what time it was or what the weather was like. A "God bless you" as you left was his MO. He was a very special man, and we will all miss him dearly.

He is survived by his Wife Concha of 59 years, Daughters Reina Solorio (Juve) of Lompoc, Lilian Madden (Mike) of Concord Ca, Lisa Campbell (Richard) of Lompoc, and Son Jerry Wichern Jr (Sonja) also of Lompoc. He has eight beautiful grandchildren: Gabrielle, Reina, Lily, Andrea, Jerry, Willem, and Jason, two step-grandchildren Juve and Greg, two great-grandchildren Lee and Alina, two step-great-grandchildren Terry and Sofia, and many, many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Michelle, and granddaughter, Sara.

His parents Henry and Alma Wichern. Brothers: Earl, Leanard, Wilhelm (Billy), Andrew (Andy), and Benjamin all of Nebraska. Sisters: Lucille Bruns, Judy Stenka-Brown, Eileen Swartz, and Rosemarie Wichern all of Nebraska.

A viewing at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary on Monday, June 28th between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 29th at 1:00 pm at Calvary Chapel 1600 Berkeley Drive with burial immediately following the service at Lompoc Cemetery. A reception/potluck will follow the burial back at Calvary Chapel for a Celebration of his life.