Gerald L. Held

Gerald Louis "Gerry" Held, 87, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Monday,  April 16, 2018  at his beloved home at Glenn Park of Defiance. Gerry and Rosalie (Kaiser-Clark)were married on February 2, 1985 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Defiance.

Gerry was born April 26, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of George F. Held and Anna (Hornicek) Held. He was raised in Sunol, Nebraska, but the family moved back to Defiance, where he graduated from Defiance High School in 1948. 

He attended Stautzenberger Business School to prepare for a career in the life insurance industry. He became a Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1990, and brokered for many companies before his retirement from Assurity Life Insurance Company.

Gerry was an Army Veteran serving in Europe during the Korean Conflict. In his home community, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He enjoyed volunteering for St. Mary's church festivals. Gerry's fondness of gardening likely came from his early life in Nebraska. He and Rosalie cultivated a garden at their home. They traveled in this country and abroad. Gerry had a workshop and enjoyed woodworking projects to benefit the family. Gerry will be best remembered for his charming smile, his sense of humor, and his contagious laughter. He delighted many friends with his beautiful singing voice, especially the residents of Glenn Park. In earlier days he enjoyed spending an evening dancing or playing cards.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rosalie, their children, Juliet Held-Mosier, Jane Cox, Timothy Held, Aimee (Kevin) Cinelli, Joseph Held, Sr., and step-children Stuart (Caroline) Clark, Jay Clark, and Bradley (Michelle) Clark. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Fredrich, Annamarie, Priscilla, Vanessa, Joseph Jr, Mandy (Thomas), Mallory, and Paul, and step-grandchildren, Nathan, Nicholas, Andrew, Julia, Kiersten, Connor, and Ethan, and one great-grandchild, Sydney.

Also surviving is his brother, Robert (Joan) Held of Defiance, Ohio.

Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother George in infancy, his sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Rex Hopkins, and his daughter-in-law, Rose Elizabeth "Beth" Held.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church in Defiance on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 10:00 am with Father Randy Giesige officiating and Father Thomas Held co-celebrant. Burial will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery, with Graveside Military Rites accorded by VFW #3360. The family will meet friends at Schaffer Funeral Home on Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 2:00 to 7:00 pm, with a Rosary Service at 2:00 pm.

Suggested memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Alzheimer's Association, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.
  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald L. Held, please visit our floral store.