JEROME VOLLBRECHT SR.

Jerome Vollbrecht Sr., age 89, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Center, following a long struggle with emphysema.

Jerry was born Dec. 21, 1919, in Sheboygan to the late Max and Ida (Mierrow) Vollbrecht. He attended Sheboygan area schools, graduating from Sheboygan High School in 1938.

On June 14, 1947, he and the former Molly Jorsch were united in marriage in Delray Beach, Fla. Molly preceded him in death in 1999.

During World War II, Jerry served for two years in the North Pacific as part of the Army’s Aleutian Islands Campaign. After the war, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he received training in electronics.

In 1959, he and John Bruder founded a TV/radio service and repair business that later became known as Union Electronics. Ten years later, Jerry left to work at Hayssen Manufacturing Co., from which he retired in 1982.

Jerry and his wife were charter members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sheboygan.

Jerry will always be remembered for the joy and satisfaction he found in his favorite pastimes: fishing for crappies and bluegills on Crystal Lake, tending his home vegetable garden, relaxing with the family dog, spending countless hours immersed in his vintage collection of popular music recordings of the 1930s and ‘40s, and sharing a good story or joke with family and friends.

Jerry is survived by his son, Jerome Vollbrecht Jr. of Sheboygan; a niece, Joan (Wes) Gibbons of East Aurora, N.Y.; a sister-inlaw, Olga Jorsch of Greendale; numerous other nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin and sister-in-law, Harriet Vollbrecht; by numerous cousins, and by his special friend, Caroline Tenpas of Sheboygan.

A private family graveside service for Jerry will be held at Sunrise Memorial Gardens at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, with the Rev. Christian Gugel officiating.

In preference to flowers, memorial gifts in his name may be directed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

The Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home, Sheboygan, is assisting the Vollbrecht family.

Very special thanks go out to the wonderful people at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Center; to Drs. Hancock, DeTrana and Zweben and their staffs; to personal caregivers Valerie, Jayme, Nancy, Cheryl and Lorelei; to Pastor Gugel and the Good Shepherd Church volunteers; to caring friends and neighbors; and to the volunteers at the Sheboygan Senior Center and Sheboygan County Meals on Wheels.