Jeffery Iler

Jeffery Ray Iler, known to family and friends as Jeff, passed away at the age of sixty-four in Columbus, Nebraska on March 26, 2021.

A Celebration of Life and memory sharing service will take place at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at McKown Funeral Home. The family will begin greeting friends at 12:30 PM. The service will be live streamed on the McKown Funeral Home Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Jeff was born on July 19, 1956, in Tokyo, Japan to Ivan and Phyllis Iler, who were stationed there for Ike's service in the United States Army. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Peggy, David, and Richard Iler.

Jeff spent his life doing what he loved: broadcasting on country radio. He started his career in Salinas, California, for KTOM and ended it in Columbus, Nebraska with KZEN. In Salinas, Jeff met the love of his life, ex-wife, Debbie Iler. Debbie and Jeff had two sons, Dustin Iler of St. Louis, Missouri, and Cory Iler, of Chico, California, who survive him, along with two beloved grandchildren, Emma, and Ivan Iler. Jeff was a gracious father and grandfather who loved his family unconditionally. He was a model of charm, kindness, and, as his listeners know, wit. Jeff's voice boomed across the airwaves, touching the lives of his many fans: those he knew, and those he never met but always appreciated. His sense of humor was sometimes dark but always delivered with a smile and good cheer. Jeff loved producing and performing his morning show, and while he entertained his listeners, their calls to him, whether sharing in the humor or jeering it, always entertained him.

Jeff worked for KZEN since 1997: first in Central City, Nebraska, then in Columbus, where he was fortunate to find friends who he could call family. He was a friend of Dr. Bob and Bill W. for eighteen years.

"He ceased: but left so charming on their ear. His voice, that listening they seemed to hear."