Gerald R. Darr

Gerald R. Darr, 88, of South Toledo, passed away peacefully in Swan Creek Health Care Center, on Tuesday, April 11, 2006. Jerry was born in Rice Twp. in Sandusky County to Robert and Cora (Hopfinger) Darr on March 8, 1918. Jerry met and married Grace A. Nicklay on November 28, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota and she preceded him in death on April 9, 2005, after 59 years of marriage. Jerry proudly served his country serving in the United States Army and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for being wounded in Germany in 1944. He retired in 1983 from the Whirlpool Corp. in Clyde, Ohio, where he worked as a functional repairman. After Jerry retired, he and Grace moved to South Toledo, and he became active in Knight of Columbus Council #3904, where he was an Honorary Life Member. Jerry had been the Council top charity campaigner for many years and raising money for the Measure-Up program for the Mentally Retarded. He also helped deliver food to the St. Paul's Community Center. Jerry had a heart of gold to help the less fortunate. He will always be remembered for his unselfishness and generosity to his family, friends, church, and community. He will be deeply missed. Jerry loved the outdoor life cutting trees down and delivering firewood to friends from Fremont, Ohio. He loved his books from the "Good Old Days" and National Geographic, and watching his favorite nightly TV show, Jeopardy. He was a longtime member of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church, where he was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Over 55 club. His parents, sister, Agnes, and an infant sister, preceded Jerry in death.
He is survived by his loving children, Raymond (Donna) Darr, Cheryl (Robert) Seylhouwer, Sr. Mary Cheryl, SND, (formerly Rita Darr) and Cletus Darr; 4 grandchildren, Michelle (Greg) Buck, Blake (Janae), Landon and Grant Seylhouwer, and 2 great-grandchildren, Mason and Gage Buck. Also surviving are his sister, Mary Ellen (Robert) Meyers and brother, Harold (Irene) Darr.
Gerald will lie in state in St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church on Monday, April 17, 2006, from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of a contribution to the Sisters of Notre Dame, or St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church or the charity of the donor's choice.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Swan Creek Health Care Center for all their loving care and support. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hanneman Funeral Home, 1757 Tremainsville Rd. (at Sylvania Ave.) 419-474-8761.
www.hannemanfh.com