Jerome T. "Jerry" Flynn

1943 - 2025

Jerome "Jerry" T. Flynn

Mar 23, 1943 - Dec 2, 2025

Jerome "Jerry" T. Flynn, 82, of Valparaiso, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. He was born March 23, 1943, in Gary, Indiana to William J. Flynn, Jr. and Catherine (Wiltzius) Flynn. In 1961, Jerry graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary. In 1962, Jerry enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served on the U.S.S Enterprise for two years. While in the Navy, he was able to experience the beauty of Rome, Naples, and the French Riveria. After his naval service, Jerry returned to Northwest Indiana and began a 30-year career as an electrician with U.S. Steel at Gary Works.

On April 16, 1966, he married the late love of his life Patricia Steindler Flynn at Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary. In 1971, Jerry and Patricia built a home in Valparaiso where they would raise their two children and live for the next seven decades. In later years, they both took great joy in watching their six grandchildren grow into young adults. Jerry was lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears and Notre Dame football due to his two older brothers playing for the Irish.

After retiring from U.S. Steel and various contractors who serviced the mill, Jerry worked as a building inspector with the city of Valparaiso for many years. During this time, he greatly enjoyed working and interacting with many of the talented builders and tradesmen in Northwest Indiana for whom he had much admiration. Jerry was a talented wood worker who built several grandfather clocks. He and Patricia spent much time and effort over the years adding to and updating their home utilizing Jerry's talent with his hands and Patricia's organizational skills.

Shortly after Patricia passed away on October 22, 2022, Jerry began residing in AVIVA Assisted Living in Valparaiso. His family is grateful for the extraordinary support and kindness shown to him by the staff, nurses, and caregivers at Aviva during the last two and a half years of his life.

Jerry is survived by his children, Jerome T. (Lisa) Flynn Jr. of Valparaiso and Elizabeth A. (Steve) Etzler of Valparaiso; six grandchildren, Hannah Flynn, Maggie Etzler, Michael Flynn, Norah Flynn, Ethan Etzler, and Thomas Flynn; his sister, Suzanne Whitehead, Elgin, SC; and his two brothers-in-law, Thomas (Barb) Steindler of Valparaiso and Gary Steindler (Sheryl Strabavy) of Chesterton. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Teresa Ann Garnier, William Flynn, Mary Lou Casey, David Flynn, Joan Graeber, Barbara Green, and Kathleen Mathis.

The family is planning a visitation and short service on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Bartholomew Funeral Home in Valparaiso. The visitation will begin at noon followed by the service at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Roque Meraz will preside. Afterwards, the family host a reception at a local Valparaiso establishment in the hope of truly celebrating a life well lived by Jerry. All family and friends will be welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lakeshore Paws located in Valparaiso. Bartholomew Funeral Home has agreed to collect donations on behalf of Lakeshore Paws and ensure that they are delivered in a timely manner.