OBITUARIES
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Gerald DeMarse
Resided in Marquette, MI
Died February 22, 2005
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Gerald A. “Jerry” DeMarse, 58, of 2007 Neidhart Avenue, Marquette, entered eternal life early Tuesday morning, February 22, 2005, shortly after admittance to Marquette General Hospital.
Jerry was born April 16, 1946 in Marquette, a son of Hugh F. and Norma E. (Axford) DeMarse and was a lifelong Marquette resident. He was a member of the last graduating class from Graveraet High School in 1964, and later attended Northern Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Choosing a career in the insurance field, Jerry was first affiliated with Mutual Service Insurance until that company left Michigan. He then was associated with the Farmer’s Insurance Group, operating his own agency, Gerald DeMarse Insurance, until his retirement in December 2004. Over the years, Jerry received many insurance awards, among them from MSI, Company Leader of the Month, President’s Club Award for several years, Challenger Award, Northern Region Sales Leader, Personal Auto Club, and Homecoming Qualifier Awards. Through the Farmer’s Insurance Group he received the 1500 and 2000 Count Award for policies sold, Production Award, and Preferred Underwriting Agent Award. Most recently, Jerry was inducted into the Farmer’s Wall of Fame for his many years of service, a permanent recognition at the company headquarters in Los Angeles. Jerry was well known for his sociable nature, enjoying time spent with family and friends. He loved to take long drives to Big Bay, tour Marquette, and was a frequent traveler around Presque Isle. In his leisure, Jerry enjoyed playing cribbage, having belonged to several cribbage leagues over the years, golfing, listening to Elmer Aho on WJPD, and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, win or lose. Jerry loved to share his sense of humor and neither family nor friends were immune from his good-natured kidding. One of Jerry’s favorite past times was playing country music on his guitar. Having been taught by his father, Jerry was always willing to share his guitar playing talent at family gatherings.
Jerry was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and Marquette Elks Lodge #405 B.P.O.E.
Survivors include his wife, Mary (DePetro) DeMarse, whom he married September 9, 1967 at St. Michael Church; his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Rich Goupell of Iron Mountain, and parents of Jerry’s expected April grandchild; a son, Kevin DeMarse of Marquette; two brothers, Wayne DeMarse of Big Bay and Jack (Norma Jean) DeMarse of Marquette; his mother-in-law, Clarice DePetro of Marquette; his in-laws, Barbara (Philip) White, Kay (Gordy) LeDuc, Diane (Charles) Peltola, Patricia (Dan) Benson, and John (Joyce) DePetro all of Marquette; his uncle Doug (Arlene) DeMarse of Beaver Grove; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by a brother, Donald DeMarse; his sister, Barbara Roy; father-in-law, Nicholas DePetro; and brothers-in-law, Richard Rogers and David Emmette.
Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. The Marquette Elks Lodge will conduct memorial rites at 4:30 pm Friday evening in the funeral home, followed by a parish prayer service at 5:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Saturday afternoon, February 26, in St. Michael Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Jed Patrick, pastor, as celebrant. A reception for family and friends will follow in Msgr. Dunleavy Hall. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Louis Beaudry, Greg Lessard, Jack Reynolds, Floyd Sommers, Mel Sweeney, and Geno Decknadel. Honorary escorts will be Rich Goupell, Phil White, Gordy LeDuc, Charlie Peltola, Dan Benson, and John DePetro. |
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