Oct. 25, 1937 - Feb. 20, 2013

ELKHART — Gerald Leonard “Jerry” Ludwig, 75, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at 11:18 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in his home surrounded by his loving family and wife after a brave 3 ½-year struggle with lung cancer.

He was born Oct. 25, 1937, in Isabella County, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., the son of the late Leonard Frank and Lenora T. (Smith) Ludwig.

He loved old tractors and going to tractor shows. He was a big fan of the Indianapolis Colts and Notre Dame football and women’s basketball. He was very proud of his family and dearly loved his grandchildren.

Jerry graduated from Defiance (Ohio) High School, class of 1956; Defiance College; and Bethel College, Mishawaka. He worked for Johns-Manville in Defiance and later in Elkhart as an employee relations manager, where he retired in 1994 after 38 years. After retiring he worked for Paradigm Corporation as a management consultant for several years.

He was a member and past president of Defiance Eagles, a member of Defiance Elks, past president of Greater Elkhart Personnel Association and a member of the Michiana Music For Life Association.

Jerry married Jean Westrick June 14, 1958, in St. John’s Catholic Church, Defiance.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Jean; daughters Janis (Greg) Cannon of Defiance, Julie Ludwig and Jennifer (Scott) Wagoner of Lansing, Mich.; son Steven Ludwig of Elkhart; seven grandchildren, Brian Holt, Kim Cannon, Katie Cannon, Brittany Ludwig, Aimee Ludwig, Stefani Ludwig and Jacob Wagoner; two great-grandchildren, Jordan Egler and Madison Egler; sisters Patricia (Robert) Vetter of Defiance, Carol (Jack) DeLano of Defiance and Sharon (Roger) Kroeckel of Defiance; and brother Kenneth (Kathy) Ludwig of Defiance.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at St. John Catholic Church, 510 Jackson Ave., Defiance, with Father Todd Dominique officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home, 1753 S. Clinton St., Defiance, with an Eagles ritual team service at 7:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 8 p.m.

Burial will be in Riverview Memory Gardens.

Suggested memorials are to American Cancer Society or the organization of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.defiancefuneralhome.com.

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