Jerry Adams

CANFIELD - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes St. James Church in North Jackson for Jerry Adams, 82, who passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Tuesday at his home.

Jerry was born at home on Aug. 18, 1933, in Wirt, Minn., one of 10 children of the late Dean Harold and Geneva (DeFore) Adams.

Jerry served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years at the end of the Korean War. He also served in the Reserves for eight years. He was a Millwright for General Motors from May of 1971 to August of 1998. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes St. James Church and was an active in their Men's Club. Jerry was also a member of the Local 1714 UAW.

He was an avid sports fan and cheered for his children and grandchildren, never missing a game of football, volleyball, baseball, basketball, wrestling, soccer or track. He volunteered many hours coaching his children in softball, baseball and football. He loved the West Branch Warriors and the Western Reserve Blue Devils. He was also a former active member of the Athletic Boosters Club at Western Reserve and supported the community in all events. Jerry loved his children and grandchildren, always putting their wants and needs first. He always had a smile for you, or a funny gesture or story to tell you. He loved all people, and "never met a stranger" in his life.

Jerry leaves his wife of almost 59 years, the former Marilyn J. Mehalic, whom he married Nov. 24, 1956. He met Marilyn in New Castle, Pa. while on a military leave. He also leaves his three children, Chris (Stephanie) Adams of Homeworth, Melissa (Rodney) Badgett of Canfield, and Marci (Brian) Craig of Goshen; nine grandchildren, Melissa, Kinsey, Adam, Amanda, Mitchell, Clayton, Maxwell, Caleb, and Rob; a great-granddaughter, Madelyn; a close brother-in-law, John Mehalic; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was also preceded in death by his son, Stephen Adams, who was killed on Christmas Eve 2010; and nine brothers and sisters.

Jerry's family would like to give a special thanks to Liberty Health Care Center, Premier Therapy, Southern Care Hospice and all of the Windsor House Inc. staff for their compassionate care. They would also like to thank all of his caregivers, Maggie Stubbs, Ellen Kreidler, Vicki Beda, Missy Vargas, Afton Halls, Sharon Steffens, Shirley Baytos, and Brijette Morton. He greatly appreciated the love and support these folks gave him in his last year of life... and he always enjoyed the coffee and blueberry donuts you would bring to him too!

Family and friends may pay their respects on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel on Starr's Centre Drive, and Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. James Church in North Jackson, before the funeral. The family would also like to invite you to lunch at the church hall after the Mass to celebrate Jerry's life. The world is a better place because of him. "We have been blessed with his unconditional love and thank GOD for him."

Material tributes may take the form of donations to the Stephen Adams Nursing Scholarship Fund at MCCTC in Canfield.

"And, as our Dad and Grandpa would often say, 'Semper Fi' and 'Ooh-Rah!'"