Gerald P. "Jerry" Killian

Gerald P. Killian (Jerry), 89, passed February 17, 2024 at home with his loving wife, Mary Ann (DeBenedictis) Killian, of 63 years holding his hand. Jerry and Mary Ann celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on February 11 surrounded by their three children Mary Donnelly (Mark), Gina Gunning (David) and Drs. Patrick Killian (Valerie) and many of their grandchildren Michael and Megan Donnelly, Anne and Jordan Gunning and Molly, Elise and Riley Killian.
Jerry was first and foremost a loving husband, father and grandfather, who was the patriarch of, and dedicated to, his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael G. and Josephine Killian, his brothers Joseph and J. David, his in-laws, Michael and Mary DeBenedictis and his brothers-in-law Patsy and Tony DeBenedictis. He is also survived by brothers Michael (Carol) and R. Bruce (Mary Ann) Killian, brothers-in-law Jake (Sandy) and Lenny (Debbie) DeBenedictis, sisters-in-law Carol Killian, Marilyn Killian and Pru DeBenedictis, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jerry graduated from Springfield High School in 1952 and was a proud member of Teamsters Local #348, where he spent over 30 years in the beer distribution business, primarily at Neidert Distributing. He enjoyed retirement by spending hours perfecting his craft of woodworking in which he created novel pieces and he researched and created miniature villages for his vast collection of model trains. He was an avid fan of Notre Dame football and spent Saturdays every fall cheering on the Irish! He loved spending time at the lake house with immediate family reveling in watching the grandchildren go tubing.
He was a devout Catholic and he spent many years volunteering at the Fish Fry at then Annunciation Parish (now Visitation of Mary Parish) where he celebrated many sacraments throughout his life, including his Baptism, First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage and now his final Requiem Mass, which will be held on Wednesday, February 21 at 11:00 am at Visitation of Mary Parish, Anunciation Church 55 Broad Street, Akron, Ohio 44305. Internment at Holy Cross Cemetery immediately following mass.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, February 20 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home 3333 Kent Road, Stow, Ohio 44224.
The family would like to thank Dad's caregivers from Cleveland Clinic Hospice for their compassionate attention to Dad and Fr. Dismas of Visitation of Mary Parish for his many trips to Stow to serve Communion to Dad when he was no longer able to attend mass. In lieu of flowers, it was Dad's wish that donations be made to Camp Imagine (a camp for children with special needs). Donations can be made online at www.campimagine.org or can be mailed directly to PO Box 26, Avon Lake, OH 44012.
Dad was an incredibly hard-working, devout and honorable man, who exemplified integrity and honesty in all of his daily endeavors. He was quiet, patient and had an inexplicable knack for being able to fix anything. He was deeply admired and loved. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.