Jerome Hughes

Jerome “Jerry” Hughes, Sr., 78, of Rensselaer, passed away Thursday morning, January 3, 2013, at Avalon Springs Health Campus in Valparaiso. Jerry was born in Osceola Mills, PA on May 25, 1934, the son of the late Joseph Hughes and Margaret (Powers) Hughes. Jerry earned his undergraduate degree in education from Lock Haven State College in Pennsylvania, and his Masters Degree from Penn State. On June 25, 1960, in Latrobe, PA, he married his wife of over 51 years, Helen Edwina “Wendy” (Hurrell) Hughes. She preceded him in death on March 6, 2012. Jerry had been a resident of Rensselaer since 1970.

Jerry made his career in education. He served as Dean of Students at St. Joseph’s College, and as a guidance counselor for Kankakee Valley High School. In his early yeaers, he also taught history, PE, and coached wrestling and football. Jerry was a community activist for young adults with Partners for a Drug-Free Jasper County, and he sang in the Jasper County Harmonizers barbershop quartet. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer.

Jerry is survived by his loving family: six children: Jerome Hughes, Jr. (wife: Lisa) of Valparaiso, Helen Martin (husband: Tom) of State College, PA, Susanne Garmong (husband: Todd) of Marietta, GA, Cary Hughes (wife: Donna) of Zionsville, IN, Edwina Henderson (husband: Jim) of Ann Arbor, MI, and Roderick Hughes (wife: Julie) of Indianapolis; one brother, Patrick Hughes of Millville, OH; and one sister, Sister Agnes Marie of Erie, PA. Jerry is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren, and he had one great grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and two brothers.

Friends may call on Sunday, January 6, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (CST) at Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer. A Rosary Service will be held at the funeral home at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (CST) at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Tim McFarland officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.