Submitted by: Dan Rich
Jan. 15, 1913 - May 22, 2008
South Bend Tribune 5/25/2008
SOUTH BEND - Gerard "Jerry" DeMunck, 95, passed
away Thursday, May 22 in Park Villa LTC Facility, Marion, IN.
Gerard was born on Jan. 15, 1913, in Mishawaka, IN, as the son of
Alphonse and Augusta (Baes) DeMunck. He was preceded in
death by his parents and eight brothers and sisters.
On June 27, 1930 in LaPorte, IN, he married
Mary Mazall and enjoyed 66 years of marriage until her
death in 1996. Surviving Gerard are his daughter, Cathryn
"Cassie" (Eugene) Olson of Granger; four
grandchildren, Gregory (Kathryn) of Granger, Jennifer Olson Owen
of Plano, TX, Lisabeth Olson Hack of Columbia, SC, and
Jonathon of Maui, HI. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren;
and two great-great-grandchildren. As a teenager an airplane ride
sparked his life-long career and passion in Aviation. After
getting his pilot's license in 1932, he started barnstroming the
countryside; giving lessons and taking the public for rides. In
1934 he began an air service in LaPorte, IN, which lasted until
1939 when a violent storm ruined his two planes. For a short
time, he flew the Alaska run for Northwest Airlines. In 1942 he
joined Republic Aviation, Evansville, as a test pilot for the
P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. After the war, he transferred to
Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, NY as executive pilot. In 1965,
he returned to the Michiana area to be near family. He finished
up his work career as a manager and part time pilot at Clyde E.
Williams & Assoc. He was a life-long member of the Knights of
Columbus Council 553, South Bend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be
celebrated at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 27, in Christ the King
Catholic Church, South Bend, with graveside services at Highland
Cemetery to follow. Friends and family may call from 11 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. prior to the Mass at Welsheimer Family Funeral Home
North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Memorial contributions
may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council 553, 553 E.
Washington St., South Bend, IN 46617 or to SouthernCare Hospice,
2709 Albright, Kokomo, IN 46902.