Jerome E. Pancheri passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024 - just six weeks shy of his 97th birthday. Jerry was born on July 30, 1927, in Vulcan, Michigan, to John and Bernice (Pientkewic) Pancheri. After graduating high school in 1945, he joined the Merchant Marine and later served in the United States Air Force receiving an honorary discharge in 1948. Soon after, he met his wife of 65 years, Aileen VanGoethem, and the two were married on August 26, 1950, in Norway, Michigan, and had seven children together. In 1955, the couple moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where Jerry accepted a job with Liberty Loans. He later worked for MetLife and Lincoln Life as an insurance salesman until deciding to open his own business, an ice cream shop called “The Dipper” which operated from 1975 to 1983. Jerry loved being in the woods and in 1985, he built a log cabin near the Tahquamenon River and enjoyed many years there fishing, hunting and gardening. He also spent many years volunteering at the American Legion, making hundreds of pasties there over the years with his good friend George. Always up for a beer or brandy, Jerry enjoyed socializing at the Legion and the Happy Hour Tavern in Hulbert, Michigan. He was truly one of a kind and his sense of humor, that snort when he laughed at his own jokes, and his unwavering zest for life will be greatly missed. His harmonica playing on the other hand…
Jerry is survived by his seven children, Mark (Zelda) Pancheri, Anne Papineau, Paula (Mike Lampton) Pancheri, Matthew Pancheri, Veronica (Ted) Connelly, Jerry J. Pancheri and youngest son, Theodore Pancheri; 14 grandchildren, Christa, Jennifer, Nathan, Adam, Chris, Rory, Kara, Kelly, Kalen, Ted, Kathryn, Joey, Autumn and Macy; great-grandchildren, Bryce, Mesah, Avery, Sawyer, Hudson, Corbin, Piper, Myles, Jack, Nicholas, Allysia, Logan, Teddy, Simon and Penny; sisters, Bonnie Hyde and Bernie Lockenour; brother-in-law, Jerry VanGoethem; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and his dear friends, Bill and Molly Kallio, Bob Erickson, Mike Allard, Bill Hogan and Bob Amberg.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Aileen; his parents; sister, Patricia Romagna; daughter-in- law, Jacki; sister-in-law, Donna VanGoethem; brother-in-law, William Hyde; and his friends Bob Brisson, Kemp Gorenflo and George Tennant.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 20th with a luncheon to follow. Per Jerry’s wishes, he would like to have his family and friends have a toast in his honor at the American Legion Post 3 after the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, Jerry requested that donations be made to Hospice House, 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
The family is forever grateful for the care the Hospice House provided in his final days and would also like to thank the VA for all their help and support over the years.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
