Jerry Zuercher

Jerry W. Zuercher, age 63, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008 at St. Marys of Michigan in Saginaw, following a brief illness. He was born September 3, 1944 in Saginaw, the son of the late Palmer & Hattie (Fischer) Zuercher. Jerry grew up in Tuscola and Frankenmuth, and graduated from Frankenmuth High School with the class of 1962. He went on to attend Western Michigan University, where he received his Bachelors of Art and Masters of Fine Arts degrees, and was a member of the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity. Jerry was hired as the band director for Caro Community Schools in 1966. On June 24, 1967, Jerry was united in marriage to the former Elizabeth Smith in Walled Lake, and the couple shared forty years together. Jerry retired from Caro Schools in 1998 after thirty-two years of teaching. During his time with Caro Schools, he was also a school bus driver and drivers education teacher for many years. In 1996, Jerry combined his love of traveling and driving when he founded Classic Charters and Tours, which he and his wife operated. Jerry was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro, where he was a choir member and former treasurer. He was also a member and officer of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, American School Band Directors Association, the American Bus Association, United Motorcoach Association, and a former member of the Caro Exchange Club. In addition to his wife, Liz, Jerry is survived by four daughters and their spouses, Holly & Chad Anderton of Chicago, Illinois, Heidi & Brad Brown of Caro, Keri & David Moenssen of Columbus, Indiana, Kami Zuercher & Andy Smock of Canton; eight grandchildren, Abigail, Alexandria, Benjamin, Sarah and Sophie Brown, all of Caro, Luke and Cade Anderton of Chicago, Illinois, Vaughn Moenssen of Columbus, Indiana; one brother, Dennis & Roxie Zuercher of Port Byron, Illinois and several nieces and nephews.