Jerome Russell "Jerry" Gwash, age 81 of Virginia lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at his home with his family by his side. He was born July 19, 1928 in Virginia, the son of Leo F. and Edna (Schaeffer) Gwash. Jerry served with the Marine Corps from 1945 to 1949 with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine, 2nd Division and with the 11th Marine, 1st Division in Guam, Japan, China, and Alaska. In 1950 he was assigned to active duty with the 4.2 mortar Company, 7th Marines, 1st Division on duty in Korea until his return to the States on September 26, 1951. He was honorably discharged on 6 March 1953. He married the love of his life Arlene Chesler in Eveleth on December 8, 1951, and was a lifelong resident of Virginia. Jerry was employed by Gwash Plastering, worked on the Great Lakes Fleet, for Seven-Up, owned and operated Midway Standard Oil, and Pic-n-Pay Convenience Store; and retired with over thirty years of service with Erie Mining/LTV as a production truck driver. He was a member of the Northgate Coffee Group, and the China Marines; and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and crossword puzzles. Jerry usually worked two jobs at a time, but always made time for his boys. He coached little league, and was an avid supporter at all of their ball games.
Jerry is survived by his sons: Mike (Gail Brunner) Gwash of Mt. Iron, Clay (Sue) Gwash of Virginia, Russ (Mary Jo) Gwash of Eveleth and Gary (Holly Hejda) Gwash of Virginia; grandchildren: Richard (Amanda) Gwash, Lisa (Eric) Maki, Gary (Nina) Gwash, Jr., Becky Gwash, Shannon Gwash, Sara (Steve Pollace) Gwash, and Kelsey Gwash; great-grandchildren: Dylan & Lauren Maki, Alexis & Julia Gwash, Andrew Hakly, Kayla & Gabriella Gwash, and Jerod Pollace; sisters-in-law Elaine (John) Postudensek, Joyce Chesler & Shirley Chesler; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends including Ray Santelli.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Arlene; and siblings: Verona, Marie, Harriet, Edna, Jean, Leo Jr. "Sonny", Edward "Bud", and Paul.
A gathering time for family and friends will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2009 from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service in the Bauman – Cron Funeral Home Chapel. Bill Bauman will serve as the Funeral Celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Virginia Servicemen's Color Guard.
Memorials are preferred.
Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share a personal remembrance of Jerry online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Born: July 19, 1928 Place of Birth: Virginia, MN USA Death: September 3, 2009 Place of Death: Virginia, MN 55792 Occupation: Production Truck Driver Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Crosswords Organizations: Northgate Coffee Group, China Marines Gathering Time for Family & Friends Tuesday September 8, 2009 , 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
Memorial Service Tuesday September 8, 2009 , 2:00 p.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
Inurnment Tuesday September 8, 2009 , 2:45 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery
Military Honors Accorded Tuesday September 8, 2009 , 2:45 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery
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Memorials Preferred