Obituary - Jerome "Jerry" Maynard Gerstenberger

Jerome "Jerry" Maynard Gerstenberger, 81, of Ventura, Calif., passed away at home on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was diagnosed in January 2013, just after celebrating 25 years of being cancer free. Jerry had been a survivor from previous colon cancer.

He was born on Feb. 23, 1933, in Havre, Montana, to Francis Anthony Gerstenberger and Mary (Farnick) Gerstenberger. He had been a Ventura resident of 19 years. Jerry resided in Santa Barbara from 1973 to 1995, prior to moving to Ventura in 1995.

Jerry was an electrical engineer for Raytheon from 1972 to 1999 and retired after 27 years. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Ventura. While in Santa Barbara, he was very involved in the San Roque Catholic Church parish.

He was an alumnus of Havre High School, graduating class of 1951; alumnus of Seattle University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in engineering. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corps and trained at Camp Pendleton, National Defense Service, Korean Service, Korean PUC and U.S. National Service. Jerry was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in January 1955, at the rank of sergeant. After his military service, he contributed his talents in service to our country for many years by working on numerous defense contracts in positions held at Hughes, TRW, and Raytheon.

As a father of five children, he was actively involved in raising his kids and coaching and supporting his kids in numerous sports, music, theatre, and other activities. As a grandfather, he continued that involvement by making every effort to attend and support his grandkids similar activities and spend as much time with them as possible. Family was his No. 1 priority. He also loved to travel, go on long road trips, explore his Polish heritage and study family history and the importance of instilling that in his children and grandchildren.

Jerry was a history buff, loved to study maps, especially old maps, and do sudoko puzzles. He was also a train enthusiast, which stemmed from his years as a youth working on the railroads in Montana. He loved the outdoors, working in the yard, loved being close to the ocean and enjoyed living in Southern California.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara L. Gerstenberger (married in 1963); and his daughter, Celina.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Katherine M. Gerstenberger, (married in 1995); son, Frank Gerstenberger and his wife, Marcy Gerstenberger, and their children, Jack and Kate Gerstenberger, of Thousand Oaks, California; son, Paul Gerstenberger of Ventura; daughter, Lisa Gerstenberger-Heil and her husband, James Heil, and their children, Mark Coward and Kaitlin and Allison Heil of Riverside, California; daughter, Marla Gabrich and her husband, Peter Gabrich and their children, Elisabeth and Mila Gabrich of North Tustin, California; stepson, Mitch Lambert and his wife, Shiho Lambert and their children, Minami and Kai Lambert of Torrance, California; stepdaughter, Michele Williams and her husband, Richard "Mike" Williams and their child, Christopher Williams of Henderson, Nevada; stepson, Michael Lambert of Vista, California

A Catholic Prayer Service for Jerry will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, 3:30 p.m., at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, with the Deacon John Barry officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in remembrance of Jerome Gerstenberger to the American Cancer Society or the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.