Graveside services for Jerry “Bud” Widner, 88, of Zavalla, will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Barge Cemetery in Zavalla, with Brother Cary Modisett officiating.

         Mr. Widner was born on July 25, 1937, in Zavalla, Texas, to the late Mike Hardy Widner and Cecil Lenell (Cryer) Widner, and died on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Zavalla.

          Bud was raised in Zavalla, and after high school graduation and his marriage to Mary Jane Ruth, they moved to the Beaumont area where he worked odd jobs until joining the Heavy Equipment Operator’s Union.

          Bud and Mary Jane bought a home in Vidor, Texas where they raised their 3 children- Debbie, Mark and David. Bud was a loving husband and father. God and family were his top priorities.

          He loved the outdoors- fishing and hunting, which he grew up doing. Eventually, his love of nature caused him to spend more time observing it than hunting in it.

          The love for the land he was raised on never left him, and soon after retirement, he and Mary Jane moved back to Zavalla. He rebuilt his grandparents’ old homestead and added a second story to the home, barn, pump house, fishpond, and many more improvements to it.

          He never hired anyone to do anything he thought he could do himself. He was a carpenter, mechanic and gardener, to name just a few of his talents. He busied himself with daily projects and was never one to sit around without working on something or planning his next task. He loved living at the “old homestead”! It gave him peace and comfort.

          His loved ones can rest assured that the peace and comfort he now has far exceeds their imaginations! He is home with his Lord and Savior.

          He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Jody Jackson of Humble, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Barbara Widner of Zavalla; son, David Widner of Beaumont, Texas; sister, Joyce Havard of Anahuac, Texas; grandchildren, Crystal Zimmerer, Blake Jackson, Jennifer Widner, and Keith Widner; great-grandchildren, Luke Zimmerer, Thomas Zimmerer, Brady Jackson, Olive Jackson, Beau Jackson, Zachary Deskey, Cameron Grey, Elissa Grey, Abrianna Widner, Corbin Widner; and great-great-granddaughter, Wrenlee Grey.

          Mr. Widner was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Ruth Widner; parents; brother, James Hardy Widner; sister, Joan Widner Roebuck; brother, Jacie Van “Jake” Widner; and his grandson, Austin Brent Jackson.

          Special memorials can be made to an Alzheimer’s foundation of your choice.

          Visitation will be held Friday, June 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Shafer Funeral Home.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.