Gerald W. “Jerry” Newman, 94 of Valparaiso, formerly of Rising Sun, MD, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024. He was born August 26, 1929 in Lincoln, MN, to the late Harland L. Newman and Thelma G. (Wright) Newman-Jones. On October 28, 1950 in Arlington, VA, he married Madeline Joy Sealock of Front Royal, VA.
Gerald resided in Valparaiso since 2007, living in Rising Sun, MD for 42 years. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1947 and retired in August 1966 as a Master Chief Data Processing Technician, after serving almost 20 years where he worked as a Computer Programmer and Systems Analyst on large main-frame computers in the late 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s.
Gerald and Madeline enjoyed traveling in the motor home visiting family and friends, National Parks, and browsing in antique stores. They also enjoyed modern square dancing and attending National Square Dance Conventions with their friends in their motor home to conventions around the U.S. and Canada.
Gerald enjoyed working on his family genealogy, tracing his 4th great-grandfather to Daniel Garnett, Jr., who fought in the American Revolutionary War, and his 8th great-grandfather to Edward Doty, who came to America aboard the Mayflower.
In Valparaiso, Gerald belonged to the First United Methodist Church, Lions Club, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Eward Doty Society, and Sons of the American Revolution.
He enjoyed the outdoors, including working with animals and birds in their struggle with survival in a hustle environment. In Maryland, Gerald worked with Bluebirds, giving bluebird programs to groups of all ages. He built over a thousand Bluebird nest boxes over a 30-year period. In Valparaiso, he volunteered at Taltree Arboretum working with Bluebirds and became interested in the plight of the Monarch Butterfly. He worked for the Monarch’s restoration by planting milkweed seeds and plants around town and surrounding areas. In November of 2015 Gerald moved into Pines Village Retirement Community where he was able to continue his work with Monarch Butterflies, tending his flower garden and raising Monarch caterpillars in his apartment.
Gerald is survived by his children, Wanda (Steve) Reuter, Valparaiso and Ron (John) Newman, Norfolk, VA; grandchildren, Josh Reuter, Palos Heights, IL, Amy (Chase) Sorrick, Valparaiso; and Rebecca (Jason) Schroeder, Valparaiso; great-grandchildren, Riley, Rowland, and Madeline Sorrick and Alexander and Ilse Reuter; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Madeline in 2001; father in 1984, mother in 1992; step-father, Shelby Jones in 1985; granddaughter, Samantha Reuter in 1993; and brothers, Harland Newman and Allen, Glenn, and Kenneth Jones.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Moeller Funeral Home 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, with a Funeral Service beginning at 5:00 PM. Burial will take place next to his wife, in Brookview Cemetery in Rising Sun, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Valparaiso First United Methodist Church or the Valparaiso Lions Club.
GUESTBOOK
Jerry was a gentle and kind gentlman. I first met Jerry at the Monday morning bible study. He contributed well to all he was involved. Proud of his Navel service and cared deeply about his country. -KAY a MORRIS
My deepest sympathy goes to the family of Jerry Newman. It is May 23 and I only became aware today of his passing. Jerry was my 3rd cousin and, by the way, 3rd cousin to many, when he learned that he had many family members in the state of WI. We communicated for years, digging out as much information as possible about his family. Many of his family pictures and documents were lost in a fire at some time or another, and he had nothing to give him the clues he needed to find out more. What an amazing experience to work with another relative on our common background information that extended back to the Mayflower, Maine, New York and Pennsylvania and then Hamilton, MO. We made many genealogical discoveries along the way, and he was able to share many of the finding he had with Madeline previous to our meeting. We were not only relatives, but we were friends from afar, and I will miss his work and discoveries very much. Blessings to Jerry and may he rest in peace. He was a wonderful and precious human being committed to his country, his family, and to all living things. -Patricia J. Popple-Chippewa Falls, WI
