Jerome J. Seaver

Age 88, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2004 at his home. Jerome was born in Appleton on August 5, 1915, son of the late George and Elizabeth (Kampo) Seaver. He lived in Appleton until the age of nine, at which time the family relocated to Kimberly. Jerome had been a Kimberly resident and a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church since that time. He married Margaret VanDehy who preceded him in death in 1973, and in 1975 married Mary Kempen; she survives. As a young man, Jerome worked one year for the Conservation Corps, and for the next forty years was employed by Kimberly Clark. During his employment there, duty called, and he faithfully responded and served his country as a member of the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, 327th Medical Attachment. He saw action in England, Germany, France, and Holland. Jerome was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, and was present at the invasion of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and D-Day. He enjoyed playing cards with his family and camping in Door County. His favorite times were spent with his wife Mary and the rest of the family. Jerome also looked forward to the frequent visits of his dear friends, Harold and Izzie Winius.

Jerome is survived by his wife: Mary Seaver of Kimberly; five daughters: Janice (Clark) Kromenaker of Menasha, Joanne (George) Schumann of Appleton, Mary (Leonard) Retlick of Appleton, Dorothy (Patrick) Heindl of Little Chute, and Sally Ann Shipstad of Oregon; nine grandchildren: Gail Winkler, Amy (Lawrence) Bortey, Terri (Chi) Chiang, Cathy (Brad) Collyard, Stacey Heindl, Stephanie (Chad) Zinkel, Dan (Tamra) Retlick, Dave Retlick, and Mike Retlick, seven great-grandchildren; a brother: Gordon (Esther) Seaver of Menasha.

Other survivors include Mary’s children: Germaine Hermans of Kimberly, Vernon (Joan) Kempen of Appleton, Leo (Vonnie) Kempen of Little Chute, Bill Kempen of Appleton, Floyd (Diane) Kempen of Hollandtown, John (Angie) Kempen of Combined Locks, Ray (Carla) Kempen of Seymour, Pat (Dan) Buchinger of Kaukauna, David (Debbie) Kempen of Appleton, Rick (Pam) Kempen of Kaukauna; twenty-eight grand children, sixty-four great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Anton DeWildt, two sons-in-law John Shipstad and John Hermans, and a sister Violet (John) DeLeeuw.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 16, 2004 at 12:00 NOON at HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH, 600 E. Kimberly Avenue in Kimberly with Fr. Dennis Bergsbaken officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery where members of the American Legion William Verhagen Post #60 will honor Jerome with military memorial rites. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and again on Monday at the church after 11:00 AM. Visitation hours on Sunday will conclude with a parish prayer and scripture service at 4:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund to assist the children at Covenant House.

AFTERGLOW

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one; I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is gone. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

Jansen Fargo Funeral Home
204 E. Kimberly Avenue
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-788-6202