Obit: LaPorte, Jerome ‘Jerry’ William (1947 - 2010) 
 

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: LaPorte, Prey, Hackett, Seidel, Weis, Gilbertson, Stahl, Przybylski, Kopp, Bradley, Erickson  
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) May 19, 2010 
 

LaPorte, Jerome ‘Jerry’ William (12 February 1947 - 2 May 2010) With Flag 
 

Jerry LaPorte, 63, of Hatfield died Sunday, May 2, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. 
 

Jerome William LaPorte was born Feb. 12, 1947, in Wausau, the son of Arthur Jr. and Dorothy (Prey) LaPorte.  He graduated from D. C. Everest High School in Schofield in 1965 and then drafted into the U. S. Army, serving from July 7, 1966, to April 29, 1968, stationed in Korea.  When he returned he attended North Central Technical College and earned a degree in mechanical drafting.  After college he worked for Kolbe and Kolbe in Wausau for a short time and then began his career with GTE. While working as a draftsman for GTE in Wausau he also owned and operated J. W. LaPorte Trucking and Excavating in Mosinee and served as the Town of Kronenwetter supervisor.  Jerry worked his way up at GTE, working with the line crew and then as an area manager when he was transferred to Black River Falls and later to Prescott. 
 

He was united in marriage to Linda Hackett April 16, 1983, in Mosinee.  After Jerry’s transfer to Black River Falls, they resided in Hatfield. 
 

He was a member of the AMVETS and the Peplin VFW Post 8280, the Neillsville Gun Club, the Black River Falls Gun Club and the Weston Hit and Miss Trap Club. 
 

Jerry enjoyed his morning coffee club, hunting and fishing, camping and gardening, the Milwaukee Brewers and also a big fan of NASCAR and local stockcar racing. 
 

He is survived by his wife, Linda; a son, Boyd (Melissa Seidel) LaPorte of Kronenwetter; two daughters, Deanna (Steve) Weis of Wausau and Lisa (Chad) Gilbertson of Wisconsin Rapids; and seven grandchildren, Tyler, Greg, Macie, Chyna, Kennedy, Caden and Breleigh.  He is further survived by his brothers and sisters: Valgene LaPorte, Mark LaPorte, Barbara (Buddy Stahl) LaPorte, Keith (Patty) LaPorte, and Janice (Tom) Przybylski all of Schofield; five half-brothers and sisters, Ronny (Cindy) LaPorte, Skip (Mary) LaPorte, Arlyn (Bonnie) LaPorte, Tootie Kopp and Charmaine (Dudley) Bradley; and many nieces and nephews. 
 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece. 
 

A memorial service for Jerry was held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville.  Pastor Meg Erickson of the United Methodist Church in Merrillan officiated.  Interment will be in the Hatfield Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home.  Military honors were accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council. 
 

Online Condolences may be made at www.gescheFH.com  
 

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Jerry’s family with funeral arrangements.