Jerry Vernon Van Nortwick, age 80, of Montpelier, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Community Hospitals and Wellness Center in Bryan, where he had been a patient since Sunday. Jerry was a Tool & Die maker, retiring from GM Powertrain in Defiance in 1997. He was a veteran of the US Marine Corps, serving from 1954-1957 and reaching the rank of Sergeant. Jerry was also a 32nd Degree Mason in the Maumee Lodge, a member of the Stryker American Legion Post #60 and the Defiance Am Vets Post. He was an avid hunter , fisherman, collector and loved to travel.
Jerry was born on July 12, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Orlo K. and Shirley Arlene (Haddix) Van Nortwick. He is survived by his daughters, Brenda (David) Milliman, of Millersville, Maryland and Catherine (James) Garber, of Dublin, Ohio; his grandchildren, Raquel (Alex) Kondracki, Brandon (Katie) Garber and Ryan (Jennifer) Garber; five great grandchildren; brothers, Thomas (Karen) Van Nortwick, of New Port Richey, Florida and Donald Van Nortwick, of San Jose, California; his life partner and companion of 33 years, Alleatrice “Ally” Speelman, of Montpelier and her children, Sonny Speelman, Renee Speelman, Jay Speelman, Rachelle (Duane) Chamberlain and her three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Andrew Van Nortwick and Ally’s grandson, Scott Speelman.
Funeral services for Jerry Vernon Van Nortwick will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Burial at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer will follow the service with graveside military rites provided by the Bryan VFW Post 2489 and US Marine Corps. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday, July 18, 2014 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are requested to the Williams County Veteran’s Memorial Building.