Jerome Drexler

Drexler, Jerome 'Jerry' E.

Jerome "Jerry" Edwin Drexler, 61, of Stratford, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, July 22, 2011.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2011. at Cornerstone Community Church in Marshfield. The Rev. Larry Jones and the Rev. Loren Foster will officiate. Military rites will be conducted at the church by the VFW Memorial Post No. 6352 of Stratford. Pallbearers will be Russell Perlock, Lanny Parker, Bud Holbrook, Lloyd Amacher, Wes Krumplitsch and Kurt Jochimsen. Visitations will be today, July 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield, and again Tuesday at the church until the time of the service. Patriot Guard Riders will stand in honor at the Rembs Funeral Home today for the duration of the visitation.

He was born to Richard and Adeline (Altmann) Drexler, in Wausau, on Aug. 31, 1949. Jerry graduated from Stratford High School in 1967.

Upon completion of his basic training, he served in Vietnam. On April 23, 1982, Jerry married Judy Ellenbecker in Wausau.

Jerry was planning on retiring from Stratford Homes on July 29, 2011 after 38 years of employment. He enjoyed driving school bus for the Stratford School District. Upon this, he took on countless side jobs, performing woodworking or plumbing projects asking little more than gratitude for his work.

He enjoyed playing guitar, singing and writing his own songs, along with performing with Crosswinds, a band that played gospel, bluegrass, oldies, and country for nursing homes, churches, and coffee shops. He lived his life for Christ and wanted others to know of Jesus' saving grace. He found friends through church activities, disc golf and joke telling, especially ones he made up himself. Suspenders were never optional, always required.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Judy; five children, Jason and (Kari) Drexler of Plum City; Josh Drexler of Fenwood; Jared Drexler of Stratford; Julaine and (Brent) Aschenbrenner of Stratford; Joseph and (Rachel) Drexler of Edgar; and seven grandchildren, Alex, Drey, Trenton, Peyton, Trygve, Kiley and Jackson. He is further survived by his parents, Richard and Adeline of Stratford; and siblings, Diane and (Bob) Helmes of Marshfield, Chuck and (Marie) Drexler of Wisconsin Rapids, John and (Cindy) Drexler of Marshfield, Dennis Drexler of Stratford, Paul "Buck" and (Wendy) Drexler of Stratford, Sharon and (Carl) Moeller of Stratford, Kris and (Tad) Wetterau of Wisconsin Rapids and Steve "Beaver" and (Rochelle) Drexler of Stratford; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Lynn (Heidmann) Drexler.

"For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." Romans 10: 9, 10

Online condolences may be sent to www.rembsfh.com