Saturday, June 14th, 2014
Dr. Jerome Mestemaker
Dr. Jerome "Jerry" Mestemaker, 78, Sidney, died at 4:10 a.m. June 13, 2014, at his home. He had been diagnosed with cancer in March.
He was born Jan. 12, 1936, in Coldwater, to Frank and Elenor Dorsten Mestemaker. On April 25, 1964, he married Carole Harlamert, who survives.
Also surviving are six children, Amy Mestemaker and Ron DeVincenzi, Dublin, Eric (Julie) Mestemaker, Granville, Scott (Heather) Mestemaker, Newtown, Pa., Nancy (Craig) Stiefel, Anna, Peter (Molly) Mestemaker, Arvada, Colo., and Sara Mestemaker, Sidney; 15 grandchildren, Lenny, Rob and Joe Flynn, Jordan, Kassandra, Carolyn and Daniel Mestemaker, Harper, Ellie and Thomas Mestemaker, Nathan, Seth and Maggie Stiefel, and Kaiya and Luca Mestemaker; and one sister, Doris Klosterman, Dayton.
Deceased are a son, Michael; a stepgrandson, Joshua DeVincenzi; and four siblings, Robert Mestemaker, Kenny Mestemaker, Mary Ritzert and Ginny Birkmeyer.
He graduated from the University of Dayton in 1957 with a degree in chemical engineering and then served in the U.S. Army at the Army Chemical Research Center in Edgewood, Md. Following the Army, he taught two years at Marion Local High School in Maria Stein and received teacher of the year honors the second year.
Following graduation from Marquette University College of Medicine in Milwaukee, Wis., he moved to Sidney in 1969 to begin his medical career with Sidney Medical Group. He cared for many individuals and families during 34 years of medical practice and commented that his favorite aspect of being a doctor was the privilege of delivering approximately 1,500 babies. After retiring in 2003, he volunteered as a mentor in the Sidney City Schools, was a CASA/GAL for children in Shelby County and tutored at the Presbyterian church's after-school program. He showed great compassion for children, often inviting them over for a meal and a swim at his home.
He had been chief of staff at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Sidney, served on the Sidney-Shelby County Board of Health and was assistant county coroner for several years. He was a member of Sidney American Legion Post 217 and delighted in planning family vacations to enjoy the company of his children and grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Adams Funeral Home, Sidney, the Rev. John Tonkin officiating.
Calling is 3-7 p.m. Tuesday and 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wilma Valentine Creative Learning Center, 1200 Children's Home Road, Celina; Wilson Hospice Care; or CureSearch Children's Cancer (team name Love for Luca), 4600 East West Highway, Suite 600, Bethesda, Md. 20814 for his granddaughter Luca's fight with childhood leukemia.
Condolences may be left at www.theadamsfuneralhome.com.
