Gerald J. Werth

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Gerald J. Werth

March 12, 1943 – July 11, 2019

Gerald “Jerry” John Werth, 76, a good and faithful servant, was called to his heavenly Father on July 11, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. Born on March 12, 1943, in York, he was the son of the late Gerhardt and Erma (Schaepler) Werth. He grew up in Seward and graduated from Seward High School and Concordia Teachers College in Seward. He married Janet S. Sporhase on July 17, 1966, near Hampton.

He began his teaching career at Trinity Lutheran School in Hobart, Indiana, where he taught for 4½ years. In 1970, he was called to teach at Central Lutheran School in New Haven, Indiana, where he taught until he retired in 2005. At Central, he also coached many different sports including football, basketball, track and wrestling. He also served as the school’s athletic director for many years.

In retirement, he continued to serve his church and community in various roles. He especially liked volunteering at the New Haven Food Bank and Parkview Hospital. At church, he filled many roles which included Bible class teacher, elder, church council, ambassador for LLL, evangelist chairman, stewardship chairman, VBS director, Lutheran Social Service eepresentative and LSAA member. He was a member of the St. Paul (Gar Creek) Lutheran Church in New Haven for many years and in recent years was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. One of the greatest joys of his life was spending time with his four grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Janet (Sporhase) Werth; children, Charles (Kelly) Werth of Roanoke, Indiana, and Sarah Werth of Fort Wayne, Indiana; siblings, Joyce Lehmann of Leadville, Colorado, and Elizabeth (Michael) Lutz of Utica, Michigan; and grandchildren, Mitchel Werth, Carter Werth, Owen Werth and Leah Werth. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Eloris Andrews and Arliss Peter.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the Rev. Thomas Eggold, the Rev. Daniel Shaefer and the Rev. Michael Lutz officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4  p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Harper’s Community Funeral Home in New Haven, Indiana. Burial will take place at St. Paul Lutheran (Gar Creek) Cemetery, New Haven, in a private committal service led by the Rev. Michael Blodgett and the Rev. Ron Francis. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Lutheran School in New Haven. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.harperfuneralhome.com.