One of Slinger’s brightest lights was extinguished with the passing of Jerry Gundrum on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004 at the Aurora Medical Center in Hartford, at the age of 82.

He was born April 15, 1922, in Hartford to the late Frank and Frances (Wiedmeyer) Gundrum.

He attended St. Peter’s Cath-olic School in Slinger and graduated from Slinger High School in 1939 where he enjoyed competing in baseball, basketball, and track.

Jerry was employed at Gun-drum’s Meat Market in Slinger through September 1942 when he was drafted into the United States Army.

Following basic training, he attended Infantry Officers School at Fort Benning, Ga., graduating as a second lieutenant in May 1943.

He served in Africa and Italy with the 85th Infantry Division and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and received a battlefield promotion.

He was one of Slinger’s most decorated war heroes.

After his discharge in May 1945, Jerry was employed at Zwald’s Mill in Slinger for seven years as a bookkeeper.

He started his own insurance agency in 1953 in Slinger and sons John and Larry took over the business in 1981 when he retired.

Jerry was united in marriage to Marguerite "Mickey" Schmitt on Sept. 23, 1944 in Slinger, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

He was a lifetime member of St. Peter’s congregation in Slinger, serving as secretary for four years and as an usher for 40 years. He also served on St. Peter’s Buildings and Grounds Committee.

Jerry was a 60-year member and past commander of Zunker-Held VFW Post in Slinger, and the leader of the annual Memorial Day Parade for over 50 years.

Jerry was a charter member and past president of the Slinger Advancement Association. He was also a charter member and past president of the Slinger-Allenton Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow.

He served eight years as President of the Slinger Develop-ment Corp. and was very instrumental in getting the Dico Corp. of Des Moines, Iowa and M.B.W. Corp. to build facilities in Slinger, which provided hundreds of jobs for the community.

Jerry served as a volunteer on the Village Park Commission for 25 years and worked to develop both the community and Fire-men’s Park.

He was co-chairman of the Slinger 100-year Centennial Cele-bration in 1969.

He enjoyed golf, fishing, playing cards, and watching sports on TV, and for the past 20 years Jerry and Mickey have spent the winter months at their retirement home in Winter Haven, Fla.

He was the loving husband of Marguerite and they enjoyed traveling to Europe, England, Hawaii and Alaska.

He is also survived by six children, Marilyn (Bill) Hebert of Waukesha, William (Mary Lee) of Pewaukee, John (Suzanne) of Big Cedar Lake, Larry, Nancy (Bob) Schultz and Rick (Kelly), all of Slinger; 11 grandchildren, Julie (Chris) Becker, Eric Hebert (fiancŽe Pahla Schutte), Kristen Hebert, Kathryn (Michael) Dan-gerfield, Gregory (Amanda) Gun-drum, Laurie Gundrum, David Gundrum, Brad Schultz, Ryan Schultz (fiancŽe Jennifer Bartol), Derrick Schultz and Wyatt Gundrum; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Roy (Jeannette) of Slinger; two sisters, Bernice Scott of Slinger and Marian (John) Thoma of West Bend; a brother-in-law, Jerome Brodzeller of West Bend; two sisters-in-law, Annette Wiedmeyer of St. Louis, Mo., and Geraldine (Robert) Konrath of Slinger.

Further surviving are nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were a brother, Rev. Anthony Gundrum; two sisters, Lucille Schaefer and Frances Brodzeller; two brothers-in-law, Matt Schaefer and Robert Scott, and a sister-in-law, Isabelle Weber.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Slinger.

Rev. Richard Stoffel will be the presider and interment will be in the old St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Visitation will be Wednesday at the church only from 4 p.m. until the time of mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Peter’s Catholic Church or the Slinger Park and Recreation Fund would be appreciated.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family.

Online guest book and condolences may be found at www.Myrhum-Patten.com