Jerome "Jerry" George Merkel

Jerome "Jerry" George Merkel Jr., 71, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, formerly of Waukegan, IL, passed away May 3, 2021 in Arizona. Jerry was born October 28, 1949 in Oshkosh, WI to Jerome and Valeria Merkel. He graduated from St. Anastasia grade school, Waukegan High School, and attended UW Whitewater. Jerry married Rosemary Klein on December 30, 1993 in Encinitas, CA. He served with the United States Army during the Vietnam war where he earned the bronze star. Jerry retired from LI Metals as Vice President. He was a huge Green Bay Packers fan, enjoyed taking cruises, and was an avid golfer. Jerry is survived by his wife, Rosemary; children, Jason Scott (Liza) Merkel, and Tiffany Renee (Tom) Miller; grandchildren, Kyle and Emma Miller, and Nolan and Arya Merkel; father, Jerome G. Merkel Sr.; sister, Laurie (Mike) Mercure; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mothers, Valeria Genal Merkel in 1951 and Virginia Simonis Merkel in 2019; granddaughter, Sydney Renee Miller; and paternal grandparents, Conrad and Caroline Kromm. A memorial mass will be said on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anastasia Church, 629 W. Glen Flora Ave, Waukegan, IL.