Obit: DeStaercke, Gerald H. (1936 - 2008)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bader, Bletcher, DeStaercke, Haag, Warrichiet

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI) Thursday, July 10, 2008, Online Edition

DeStaercke, Gerald H. (December 1, 1936 - July 7, 2008)

Gerald H. “Jerry” DeStaercke, 71, Gilman, passed away Monday, July 7 at Memorial Health Center in Medford.

Services will be Thursday, July 10 at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Gilman with Pastor Steven Haag officiating. Burial will follow in the Meadowbrook Cemetery, Gilman.

Jerry DeStaercke was born December 1, 1936 in Green Bay to the late Adolph and Dorothy (Warrichiet) DeStaercke.

He grew up in Green Bay and graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1955 and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1959.

On August 7, 1971 he was united in marriage to Jane Bader in Slayton, Minn.

He taught for one year in Lena and then worked for a short time at Kreuger Metal Products in Green Bay. In 1967 he took a teaching position as a social studies teacher at the Gilman High School.

He retired in 1996 after 30 years as an educator. Jerry also served almost 25 years as either trustee or village president in Gilman and was the president of the Gilman Industrial Foundation, and an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Gilman.

Upon his retirement, Jerry became his family’s historian and genealogist. He was a lifelong football fan and a Green Bay Packer season ticket holder since 1957. The only team that could come close to his love for the Packers was his devotion to the Gilman Pirates. He announced Pirate play-by-play for many years.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jane, of Gilman; a son, Benjamin of Madison; two brothers, Dick (Sharon) and Michael (Jane) DeStaercke, both of Green Bay; a sister, Clarice (Jim) Bletcher of Sussex; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Marge and Patricia.

Plombon Funeral Service of Gilman is assisting the family with arrangements.