GERALD M. "JERRY"  WAECHTER

Sept. 27, 1946 - June 18, 2012 SOUTH BEND - Gerald Michael "Jerry" Waechter, 65, of South Bend, died at 4:30 pm Monday, June 18, 2012, at Hospice House in Elkhart. Jerry was born on September 27, 1946, in South Bend, to Winnie (Walsh) and H. George Waechter. He attended E.M. Morris School for the Handicapped (now known as Tippecanoe Place Restaurant) through the 8th grade and continued on at Central High School.

He retired from Goodwill Industries in 2001 after 20-plus years of service. He was awarded Employee of the Month on several occasions.

When Jerry was only six months old, he developed Hydrocephalus (water on the brain). Doctors in South Bend told our parents that Jerry would never live to be a year old. Through the generosity of my dad's uncle, Hep Waechter, my parents took Jerry by train to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. A shunt was inserted to drain the fluid from his brain. Because of this procedure, Jerry outlived the doctors expectations by 64 years! Anyone who was privileged to meet Jerry learned so much from his positive attitude. He knew he had limitations and would always say that "it is what it is, it doesn't do any good to complain...."

No one ever met Jerry who didn't smile and were happy that they had met him. His favorite comment when people walked out the door was "be careful." Jerry loved to tell stories from when our father was on the South Bend Fire Department. He was a sports fan. He loved Notre Dame, the Bears and the Cubbies (yes, the Cubbies)! He will be watching from Heaven when the Cubbies win the World Series some day. He also loved sitting on the front porch and visiting with his neighbors.

After the passing of our father in 2002, and mother in 2006, Jerry's sister, Mary Ann, became his full-time caregiver. Through a program with Real Services, Jerry was able to receive care in our home provided by Memorial Home Care. The ladies from Memorial provided excellent care, and he enjoyed each and every one of them. His very favorite was Sachan.

Along with his sister, Mary Ann, Jerry is survived by many special cousins and friends. His cousins are Bob (Kathy) Cosgrove of Hilton Head, SC, Marcia (Robert) Gilbreth of Barrington, IL, Michele Cosgrove of Weston, FL, Matt (Mary) Walsh of Dearborn, MI, and Sharon (Cliff) Johnson of Osceola. Our very special friends are Janie Pollex, Kathy (Sam) Watson, Kristi (Greg) Noble and Elyse (Tom) Brucks of Roseville, CA. He loved you all. Jerry is also survived by his uncle, William Cosgrove of Weston, FL, and aunt, Edna Walsh of Michigan.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Michael Strzelecki and Linda from the South Bend Clinic, the staff on 9 South at Memorial Hospital, as well as the staff at Elkhart Hospice House. Your care and compassion was most appreciated.

Funeral services for Jerry will be 1:00 pm today, June 20, 2012, in Palmer Funeral Home - River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm in the funeral home prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to Hospice of Elkhart County, 22579 Old US 20, Elkhart, IN 46516. Online condolences may be left for the Waechter family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

 To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me.... When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears, Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love, you can only guess, How much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, But now it's time I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me if grieve you must, Then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's only for a while that we must part, So bless the memories within your hearts. I won't be far away, for life goes on. So if you need me call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear All of my love around you soft and clear. And then, when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home."

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jun. 20, 2012.

03/08/2023 EJS