Gerald Lawver

Gerald "Jerry" Lawver, USMC, Ret., 77, of Boonsboro, Maryland, and formerly of Barnesboro, Pennsylvania, passed from this life on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at his home.

Born on August 13, 1934, in Park Falls, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late James and Mary (Loehner) Lawver.

Jerry was a 1953 graduate from the Portage High School in Portage, Wisconsin.

He provided distinguished and honorable service for over 20 years to the United States Marine Corps.  He retired with the rank of Gunnery Sergeant after two tours in the Vietnam War.

Jerry worked as an Insurance Agent with American General Life and Accident Insurance Company for 20 years.

He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Boonsboro where he served as a Eucharistic Minister,  and was formerly a member of St. Edwards Catholic Church in Barnesboro.

Jerry was the Past Commander of the American Legion Post #508 and was also a member of the Marine Corps League, both in Barnesboro.

He was a devout Catholic and loved wood working.  He will be fondly remembered as an avid Jeff Gordon NASCAR Fan and a Green Bay Packer Fan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Coralie A. (Ulrich) Lawver; his son, Denny J. Lawver and wife Renee of Stevens, Pennsylvania; his daughter, Michele D. Florian of Boonsboro; one sister, Carole Bigelow of Daytona, Florida; three sisters-in-law, Dolores Wagner of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Marsha Contrucci of North Carolina, and Ginny Ulrich of Upland, California; one brother-in-law Barry Ulrich of Wadsworth, Ohio, and five grandchildren, Nicholas and Jesse Conner, and Michael, Kathleen and Matthew Lawver.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Frances June Campbell; his brother, Robert Lawver; his brothers-in-law, John "Junie" Wagner, Robert Bigelow, Donald Ulrich, Lawrence Contrucci and Philip Ulrich; and his son-in-law Stephen Florian.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday September 24, 2011 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, in Boonsboro.  Immediately following, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 121 North Main Street, in Boonsboro.  Rev. John J. Jicha will officiate.   Final resting place ceremonies will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Keedysville, Maryland with Military Honors rendered by the Marine Corps League and Amvets Post #10 of Hagerstown.