Gerald (Jerry) Ruchty of Coldwater, Ohio died peacefully at his home on January 20, 2022 at the age of 89.

He was born Sept. 30, 1932 in Mount Healthy (near Cincinnati) to Victor and Viola (Graff) Ruchty. The Ruchty family moved to North Star, Ohio during Jerry's youth. On July 12, 1958 he married Thelma Kremer, who survives in Coldwater.

He is survived by four daughters Marceil and Dave Kahlig of Coldwater, Teresa Kramer of Beavercreek, Janet and Allan Bruns of St. Henry, Annette and Marc Cridge of Salem, Oregon. He has 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren with one more on the way. A son-in-law Randy Kramer and grandchild Will Cridge preceded him in death. Other surviving family members are brother Ron Ruchty, in-laws Luke and Gladys Kremer, Lavern Kremer, and Mel and Agnes Bertke.

He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Eva Ruchty, Ann Kremer, Stanley and Ruth Kremer and his mother and father-in-law Herb and Cecelia Kremer.

Jerry was raised on a farm near North Star, Ohio and graduated from Versailles High School in 1950. After working at New Idea foundry for two years as a molder he graduated from an engineering technical school. He worked as an engineer for multiple companies before his long career at Micro Precision in Berne Indiana where he retired at the age of 70. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in a tank outfit in Germany during the Cold War. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, reading, playing cards, and working on his stubborn computer. Jerry believed that life was interesting and mystical. He had a spiritual side that made him believe in miracles. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater where he served as a communion distributor at the church, hospital, and Briarwood Nursing Home in addition to teaching CCD classes for many years. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and served as the treasurer for 20 years. He also was a member of the Coldwater American Legion and the Coldwater Knights of Columbus for over 60 years and was a Past Grand Knight.

Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday January 24th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater. Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Coldwater with military honors.

Calling hours will be Sunday January 23rd from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Monday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater.

Memorial contributions can be made to Coldwater Public Library.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.