Jerry Lee Hummel, 63, passed away due to natural causes in the early morning hours on Saturday, April 7, 2012, at the 21-acre hobby farm he had called home for nearly 39 years. He had fought stubbornly in the recent past against the aftereffects of a severe stroke, and was determined to overcome just as he had throughout his life before our gracious Lord called him away.
Born premature in LaPorte on December 22, 1948, Jerry was the first-surviving son born to Clyde E. and Margaret Berry Hummel of LaPaz. Weighing in at only 4 lbs. 6 oz., his parents used men’s handkerchiefs as diapers and cradled him in a shoebox during his first month.
Despite his small stature growing up, Jerry quickly learned how to fend for himself—whether that was against the mothering of his older sisters or the threat of the neighbor’s infamous goose with a big stick.
Upon graduation from LaVille Junior/Senior High School in 1967, Jerry followed in his father’s footsteps by starting on a path to become a professional painter with the Painters and Decorators Union Local 1118 of South Bend. After working three years and with his journeyman’s card in hand, he took Ellen Myers of Plymouth to be his bride on August 28, 1971, at Trinity UMC, with the two settling later near Walkerton.
Jerry worked for numerous contractors over the next 35 years and was most proud of restoring the Morris Civic Auditorium in South Bend and his projects at the University of Notre Dame, which included working on the Joyce Center, the Golden Dome and many of the football coaches’ offices.
When he retired in 2003, he had more time for his many outdoor activities. He greatly enjoyed nature and had a passion for gardening, hunting, fishing, and farming. He had a great love for animals—and with much encouragement from his children—took on a small petting zoo that would include at various times pigs, horses, cattle, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, quail, cats, dogs and pygmy goats. In recent years, he loved watching many deer and wild turkeys from his home’s countryside views. Jerry also served for several years as a fireman for the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Department, carrying on a multi-generational tradition that continues today through his son. He was a supporter of Marshall County 4-H and served on the Fairboard and as a project leader for the Polk Boosters on and off over a 22-year period. One of his proudest achievements was seeing his children win awards for their prize turkeys.
In his spare time, he enjoyed visiting with friends and was a member of the American Legion Post 385 of LaPaz and the Moose Lodge of Plymouth.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife Ellen of 40 years and their three children, Amanda (Brian) Bettag of Lafayette, Ind., Betsy (Nicholas) Loeks of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Daniel Myers Hummel of Walkerton; and grandchildren, Camden and Brody Bettag, and Lindsey Loeks.
Other survivors include sisters Dian (Alton) Hershberger of Union, Mich., Carol Dove of Plymouth, and Gwen (James) McGrath of Slidell, La.; brothers Rex (Theresa) Hummel of LaPaz and Wes (Marge) Hummel of Bremen; sisters-in-law Joyce (Morris) Roberts of Plymouth and Nancy Myers of South Bend; brother-in-law Tom (Kris) Myers of Plymouth; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Sandy Hummel, Joan Roberts, Becky Leininger and Bonnie Porter; brother Carl Hummel; and brothers-in-law Dean Dove and Morris Roberts.
Friends will be welcomed by the family from 3-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, at the Johnson Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 11, also at Johnson Danielson starting at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Tamara Boggs, pastor of the Tyner United Methodist Church will officiate. Internment will follow immediately at Morris Cemetery on U.S. 6.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 135, Tyner, or the Marshall County 4-H – Poultry Program.
Jennifer Kemble says
Ellen, Betsy, Amanda, and Daniel,
I\’m so very sorry – there are no sufficient words. I hope you each find peace, comfort, and moments of joy in the days and weeks to come.
Know that you\’re not only in my thoughts and prayers, but of so many who care so very much about you all.
Love, prayers, and hugs,
Jenn
gloria and wayne winger says
Ellen and girls..so sorry to hear of jerry\’s passing..he was a great guy..wayne and I are thinking of you and know your faith will get you thru..
Jim and Glenda Duff says
Our heartfelt prayers go out to you, Ellen, Amanda, Betsy and Daniel and family. Jerry will be greatly missed. We love you all!!
Jim and Glenda
Randy mcGriff says
Gwen,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Jerry from LaVille but it certainly sounds as though he grew into a wonderful, loving man. I\’m assuming that Amanda is married to the Brian Bettag I know from Lafayette. It is a small world.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Fran and Mike St. Clair says
Dear Ellen and Family,
We were very saddened to hear about Jerry\’s passing. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kirk Becker says
Many heartfelt sympathies to the entire Hummel family. Jerry was a good and sweet man whom will be missed greatly by those who knew him.
Yvonne Moyer Quint says
Sorry about your loss. We just do not know from day to day what is ahead. Cherish time you had together and with family. They are always with us.
Tom and Linda Riley says
Betsy, we are sorry to hear about your father and lift you and your family in prayer. Hold his memories close to your heart. Sending our love and sympathy.
Ken and Mary Siddall says
Dear Ellen & Family,
Mary and I wish to express our deepest, heartfelt condolences on your family?s loss. Jerry\’s memory will live forever in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him and will thus never be forgotten.
God Bless You
Cindy Martin says
To Ellen and Family,
So very sorry to hear about Jerry\’s passing. May you all find lovely memories that bring you peace in this time of sorrow. You are in the thoughts of many.
Peg Vancza says
Ellen, I was so surprised when Ken called about the death of Jerry. The following are words of comfort that I received when we had a death in the family and I pass them on to you and your family: \”Look to your memories for comfort; to your friends for understanding; to your faith for hope and peace. May the joy you shared with your loved one be relived in beatiful memories.\”
Mike & Shelly Clalrk says
Our deepest sympathies to your family. Hold the happy times in your heart to help you through.
Debi Johnson says
Dear Ellen and family,
So very sorry to hear of Jerry\’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jeff and Debi Johnson
Joseph f Coury says
Ellen I am sorry to learn of Jerry\’s passing. You & your family are in our prayers
Wendi Winger Maxwell says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children Ellen, I cannot imagine how tough this is for your family, Take care.
Lorrie Loeks says
Ellen,Amanda,Betsy, and Daniel, we were saddened to here of Jerry\’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. May God give you a sense of peace and comfort at this time. Love to you all, Brian, Nick, and the grandchildren included. Larry and Lorrie Loeks
John and Lori Bottorff says
Dearest Ellen and Family,
We have share some of your joyous, happy moments and we share in you sadness and loss. Certainly you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Lori Bottorff
(We are vacationing and are unable to attend the funeral.)
John and Lori Bottorff says
Dearest Ellen and Family,
We have share some of your joyous, happy moments and we share in you sadness and loss. Certainly you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Lori Bottorff
(We are vacationing and are unable to attend the funeral.)
Bob Mohn and Lorri Prater says
You will be missed my dear friend
Amy Grove says
Ellen,Amanda,Betsy, and Daniel,
My heart goes out to all of you. I was so shocked when I read about Jerry. Remember if you need anything I am just a phone call away. You guys are in my thoughts all the time. He will be missed.
With love
Amy Grove
Elaine (Kreighbaum) Smith says
Ellen,
Sorry to hear of your loss. My sympathies to you and your family.
Nenneth Klinedinst says
Ellen and family,
Sorry to hear of Jerry\”s passing. I remember him well from the late 60\”s when he worked for Garry at the Shell station north of Lapaz .
God bless,
Jennifer Kemble says
Ellen, Betsy, Amanda, and Daniel,
I\’m so very sorry – there are no sufficient words. I hope you each find peace, comfort, and moments of joy in the days and weeks to come.
Know that you\’re not only in my thoughts and prayers, but of so many who care so very much about you all.
Love, prayers, and hugs,
Jenn
gloria and wayne winger says
Ellen and girls..so sorry to hear of jerry\’s passing..he was a great guy..wayne and I are thinking of you and know your faith will get you thru..
Jim and Glenda Duff says
Our heartfelt prayers go out to you, Ellen, Amanda, Betsy and Daniel and family. Jerry will be greatly missed. We love you all!!
Jim and Glenda
Randy mcGriff says
Gwen,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Jerry from LaVille but it certainly sounds as though he grew into a wonderful, loving man. I\’m assuming that Amanda is married to the Brian Bettag I know from Lafayette. It is a small world.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Fran and Mike St. Clair says
Dear Ellen and Family,
We were very saddened to hear about Jerry\’s passing. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kirk Becker says
Many heartfelt sympathies to the entire Hummel family. Jerry was a good and sweet man whom will be missed greatly by those who knew him.
Yvonne Moyer Quint says
Sorry about your loss. We just do not know from day to day what is ahead. Cherish time you had together and with family. They are always with us.
Tom and Linda Riley says
Betsy, we are sorry to hear about your father and lift you and your family in prayer. Hold his memories close to your heart. Sending our love and sympathy.
Ken and Mary Siddall says
Dear Ellen & Family,
Mary and I wish to express our deepest, heartfelt condolences on your family?s loss. Jerry\’s memory will live forever in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him and will thus never be forgotten.
God Bless You
Cindy Martin says
To Ellen and Family,
So very sorry to hear about Jerry\’s passing. May you all find lovely memories that bring you peace in this time of sorrow. You are in the thoughts of many.
Peg Vancza says
Ellen, I was so surprised when Ken called about the death of Jerry. The following are words of comfort that I received when we had a death in the family and I pass them on to you and your family: \”Look to your memories for comfort; to your friends for understanding; to your faith for hope and peace. May the joy you shared with your loved one be relived in beatiful memories.\”
Mike & Shelly Clalrk says
Our deepest sympathies to your family. Hold the happy times in your heart to help you through.
Debi Johnson says
Dear Ellen and family,
So very sorry to hear of Jerry\’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jeff and Debi Johnson
Joseph f Coury says
Ellen I am sorry to learn of Jerry\’s passing. You & your family are in our prayers
Wendi Winger Maxwell says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children Ellen, I cannot imagine how tough this is for your family, Take care.
Lorrie Loeks says
Ellen,Amanda,Betsy, and Daniel, we were saddened to here of Jerry\’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. May God give you a sense of peace and comfort at this time. Love to you all, Brian, Nick, and the grandchildren included. Larry and Lorrie Loeks
John and Lori Bottorff says
Dearest Ellen and Family,
We have share some of your joyous, happy moments and we share in you sadness and loss. Certainly you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Lori Bottorff
(We are vacationing and are unable to attend the funeral.)
John and Lori Bottorff says
Dearest Ellen and Family,
We have share some of your joyous, happy moments and we share in you sadness and loss. Certainly you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Lori Bottorff
(We are vacationing and are unable to attend the funeral.)
Bob Mohn and Lorri Prater says
You will be missed my dear friend
Amy Grove says
Ellen,Amanda,Betsy, and Daniel,
My heart goes out to all of you. I was so shocked when I read about Jerry. Remember if you need anything I am just a phone call away. You guys are in my thoughts all the time. He will be missed.
With love
Amy Grove
Elaine (Kreighbaum) Smith says
Ellen,
Sorry to hear of your loss. My sympathies to you and your family.
Nenneth Klinedinst says
Ellen and family,
Sorry to hear of Jerry\”s passing. I remember him well from the late 60\”s when he worked for Garry at the Shell station north of Lapaz .
God bless,