Gerald Frank Saum

Gerald Frank Saum, 90, of Ft. Jennings, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at his residence.

He was born February 24, 1928, in Ft. Jennings to Louis C. and Verona C. (Seffernick) Saum.  They preceded him in death.  On October 30, 1954, he was united in marriage to Annabelle Ernst.  She survives in Ft. Jennings.

He is also survived by two sons, Joseph ( Becky) Saum of Delphos, and Steven (Beth) Saum of Texarkana, Texas; two daughters, Marjorie Jacobs of Van Wert, and Cynthia Suever of Gomer;  one sister, Mary Louise Merschman of Kalida; nine grandchildren, Taylor, Zachary, Stephanie, Jennifer, and Lindsay Saum, Bethany (Chris) Harrell, Ryan (Samantha) Hasenfratz, Brenda (Adam) Crowe, and Christopher (Katie) Moenter; and ten great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by one brother, Norbert Saum; and two sisters, Phyllis Saum and Anna Marie Perrin.

Gerald was a 1946 graduate of Ft. Jennings High School where he was the valedictorian of his class receiving four different scholarships.  Gerald was a United States Army veteran serving in Korea.  He went on to work at Hayes Albion in Spencerville as a Maintenance Supervisor.  He retired after thirty seven years.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ft. Jennings and the Delphos Knights of Columbus.  He was also a life member of the VFW post 6772  in Spencerville and a life member of the American Legion post 715 where he was commander of the club for over eleven years.  He played a big part in designing and building the American Legion Building in Ft. Jennings.  Gerald was an avid reader, and loved going to auctions.  He had many after hour jobs , the biggest being a full time farmer, and he was a jack of all trades.  He especially liked wiring houses as he was a self taught electrician.   However, most important to Gerald was his family.  He spent as much time as he could with them.  Gerald was known as being kind and soft hearted almost to a fault.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at St Joseph Catholic Church in Ft. Jennings with viewing one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery where Full Military Grave Rites will be held by the Spencerville VFW and The Ft. Jennings American Legion.   Friends may call on Monday, March 19, 2018, from 2-8 pm at Harter and Schier Funeral home in Delphos.   Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warriors Foundation or St. Judes’ Children’s Hospital.