Jerry Mogan, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, after a valiant 10-year battle with lung cancer.
He was born fourth of nine children to Wayne and Hannah (Hickey) Mogan on Aug. 30, 1929, in Circleville.
Jerry was a 1947 graduate of Circleville High School. He served in the U.S. Army Jan. 1951-1953, including a deployment to Germany.
On April 11, 1953, Jerry married Rosemary Lohr of Circleville, who preceded him in death in 2000.
Jerry studied at Franklin University and dedicated 40 years of service as a tool and die-maker at General Motors, Ternstedt Div., retiring in 1992.
Dad served his community through the Big Brothers Assoc., Meals on Wheels and Knights of Columbus. He was a faithful and devoted parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Grove City for over 50 years, serving as lector, usher and Diocesan Development Fund representative.
Jerry was a member of AMVETS Circleville Post 2256 and longtime member of the Shamrock Club of Columbus, with whom he traveled to Ireland five times. He was an avid custodian of the family’s Irish lineage along with nephew, Bob Thomas.
Jerry was a proud member of the SPEBSQSA Heart of Ohio Chorus, Grove City Chapter, under the direction of Bob Luce, whom our Dad revered.
Our loving Dad was an artist at heart. His medium was wood, and through his mind’s eye he created many amazing works of art which we will cherish. His beautiful carvings are just part of his legacy. His legacy is love of God, family, friends and country. We will miss our darling father forever.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Rosemary; brothers, Pat, John and Joe; sisters, Idabelle White and Sally Thomas; and very dear friend, Bob “Mack” Mahley.
He is survived by loving and devoted wife, Ruth LaFontaine Mogan; attentive and loving daughters, Sue Ellen Mogan and Sarah Ann Mogan (Jim) Jacobs; grandchildren, Owen Neil Mattison, Jordan Michael (Jessica) Jacobs, Jennifer Colleen Jacobs (Chris) Irvin and Jillian Kathleen Jacobs (Chris) Roach; and great-grandsons, George Louis and Frederick James Irvin. He is also survived by loving step-children, Joseph (Sher) LaFontaine, Joyce LaFontaine, John LaFontaine and James (Bobbi) LaFontaine; and six step-grandchildren. Surviving also are Jerry’s siblings, Timothy (Polly) Mogan, Helen (Doug) Morrison and Mary (Bob) Hartley; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Mogan and Dolores Mogan; brother-in-law, Jay White; and 36 nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 3920 Broadway, Grove City, with the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Grove City, with celebrant Father Dan Millisor and Deacon Klaus Fricke. Interment in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Circleville.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Jerry’s name to Ohio Right to Life Society, 88 E. Broad St., #620, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Visit www.schoedinger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
