Jerome Gnatek

Jerome Gnatek ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by David W. Barnes Funeral Home on Mar. 6, 2026.Jerome Gnatek, age 80, of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.Jerome was born in Summerset County, New Jersey to Francis and Anne Gnatek on November 11, 1945. Growing up he attended local schools. While in high school he worked on type writes. After graduating from Manville High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During his four years of service, Jerome was stationed in Korea and Alaska. Once honorably discharged, he attended Coffeyville Community College, earning his associate degree. In 1971, he graduated from Kansas State College at Pittsburg, Kansas. Jerome was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Lambda Chi Alpha.In 1972, he married Charlene Ann Neff of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. Jerome worked at GW Plastics in Bethel, Vermont during their first year of marriage, then moved to South Coffeyville, Oklahoma where he began working for Funk Mfg., and ended his 40-year career at John Deere Coffeyville Works only to go back 10 years later as part time, being promoted to Metallurgical Engineer before his death. For the last 8 years he has served as 911 coordinator for Nowata County. He also served as councilman, vice mayor and mayor for the Town of South Coffeyville. He was mayor at the time of his passing. Jerome was also a member of the Grand Economic Gateway Development Association, Flood Plain Manager for the town on South Coffeyville, part of Nowata Industrial Authority and a member of the Society of Metallurgical Engineers.His hobbies included computers, Tae Kwan Do (black belt), roller skating, dancing and carpentry to name a few. Most of all he loved his family.Surviving to honor his memory are his loving wife, Charlene Gnatek of the home; son, Squire Anthony Stone Gnatek of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma; sister, Patricia Donovan and her husband, James of Lavallette, New Jersey; his brother, Joseph Gnatek and partner, Monte Hoagland of Manville, New Jersey along with his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Anne Gnatek; sisters, Fran Biddlecome and Cinthia Brown and a niece, Jamie Brown.Following Jerome's wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction of David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas. No public services are scheduled at this time. The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to the Nowata County 911 Board; these may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, KS 67337. To leave a condolence for the family online, visit Jerome's memorial page at www.dwbfh.comTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.