Jerold Whitcher

Whitcher, Jerold J. MADISON - Jerold J. Whitcher, age 67, of Madison, died peacefully on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, at the HospiceCare Center, Fitchburg, after a valiant fight with pulmonary fibrosis and losing the battle while waiting for a lung transplant. He was born on May 15, 1940, in Potosi, the son of Helen (Udelhoven) and Robert Whitcher. Jerry graduated from Platteville High School in 1959 and attended Madison Vocational School. He married Janice Steiner of Darlington, on Oct. 1, 1966, at Fayette Methodist Church. Jerry worked in Madison until 1963, then moved to Kenosha to work for American Motors. He returned to Madison in 1965 and worked for Gisholt Machine Company until they closed, Ohio Medical Company, and Gates Rubber Company, prior to the U.S. Post Office, where he worked for 33 years until retiring in April 2006. Jerry was a member of Bashford United Methodist Church and served as an usher. He enjoyed watching college and pro football and going to Packers games. Jerry also enjoyed both classic country and oldies rock and roll music from the 50s, 60s and 70s, trout fishing and going on car trips around Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, in the fall. He is survived by his wife, Janice "Jan;" two sons, Tim Whitcher of Madison and Craig (Julie) Whitcher of Maple Grove, Minn.; two precious grandsons, David and Ethan of Maple Grove; three sisters, Shirley (Francis) Faherty of Platteville, Janet (David) Biel of Medina, Ohio and Connie (Roger) Sue of Boscobel; stepfather, Bill Bell of Platteville; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jackie Whitcher of Covington, Ga., Delbert (Pat) Steiner and Charles (Debbie) Steiner, all of Darlington, Joe Pilling of Hollandale, Duane (Sharon) Steiner of Lancaster, Barbara Ischi of Evansville, Marjy (Terry) Crapp of Clinton and Carol (Don) Gaulrapp of Monroe; plus many nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jim; sister-in-law, Nancy Pilling; brother-in-law, Joe Ischi; and a niece, Sara Ischi. Funeral services will be held at BASHFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 329 North St., Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, with the Rev. Francis Deaner presiding. Burial will be at Lima Union Cemetery, Platteville. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Memorials may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Foundation, Bashford United Methodist Church or HospiceCare Inc., Fitchburg. A special thank you to Madison Fire Department, Station No. 5, St. Marys Hospital ICU, University Hospital Transplant Team and HospiceCare in Fitchburg, as well as all the support from family, friends and neighbors during the past year. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Wilson of Dean Clinic.