ATHENS –– Frank “Jerry” Elwood Bail, age 87, of Athens, died at his home Friday, March 21, 2025. Born in Athens December 21, 1937, he was the son of the late Charles and Lucille Bail.
Frank was the owner and operator of Bail Backhoe and Dozer Service from 1972 through 2020. In retirement, he cherished family gatherings and feeding the deer, squirrels and birds that shared his well-kept yard.
He is survived by his daughter, Dianna (Chuck) Hunter; his son, Tim (Jane) Bail; a son-in-law Blaine Gabriel, all of Athens; nine grandchildren, Michael (Monica) Bail of The Plains, Mathew (Emily) Hunter of Indianapolis IN, Eric (Misty) Gabriel of Winston Salem, NC, Shawn (Rachel) Bail of New Marshfield, Molly (Elizabeth) Jenkins-Bail of Columbus, Nicole (Tom) Waltz of Brighton, CO, Chelsea (Kevin) Thompson of Las Vegas, NV, Trent (Emily) Gabriel of Athens, and Frank (Bryce) Bail of Albany; several great grandchildren and one more on the way; three sisters, Donna Tedrow, Nancy Wolfe, Clara Rowan; a brother John (Ruth) Bail; and two sisters-in-law, Lenora Champlin and Judy Bail.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Martha Bail; a son Jerry Brent Bail; a daughter, Tamera Gay Gabriel; a brother, Charles “Buzz” Bail; two brothers-in-law, James Tedrow and Robert “Sheldon” Rowan; and his father and mother-in-law, William and Ethel Finnearty.
Funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens, with Zach Hedrick officiating. Burial will be in New Marshfield Cemetery. Friends may call Monday 6–8 p.m. at the funeral home. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfunerlahome.com.
