Brother Jerry Anthony Schwieterman, C.PP.S., passed away peacefully with family at his side on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., at Blue Creek Healthcare in Whitehouse, Ohio. He was 61 and had been in declining health in recent years.
Brother Jerry was born on October 19, 1961 in Bellefontaine, Ohio to LaVern and Kathleen (Obringer) Schwieterman who proceeded him in death. He was a graduate of Indian Lake High School, Lewistown, Ohio and St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, Ind. He entered the Congregation in 1988 at St. Charles, Carthagena, Ohio, and was professed a religious brother on July 6, 1991 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in East Chicago, Ind.
Brother Jerry’s was a life of service. His first assignment was in parish ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, where he was professed.
In 2001 he was assigned to Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Ind., where he was engaged in campus ministry. He spent 18 years at the college and was part of the fabric of life there.
In 2019 he was assigned to St. John the Baptist Church in Glandorf, Ohio. He retired to St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio due to health reasons where he received more specialized care.
He is survived by three brothers, Joe (Evelyn) Schwieterman, Lewistown, Ohio; Matt (Shannon) Schwieterman, Centennial, Colo.; and Dale Schwieterman, Lakeview, Ohio; three sisters, Beth (Jeff) Codora, Belle Center, Ohio; Elaine (Gary) Jacobs, Lakeview, Ohio; and Pat (Greg) Martz, Bellefontaine, Ohio; nieces and nephews Nick Schwieterman, Neill Schwieterman, Ellen Schwieterman, Mitch Schwieterman, Blake (Erica) Codora, Tyler Codora, Haley (Jordan) Core, Trevor (Natalie) Jacobs, Erin Jacobs, Harris Schwieterman, Addi Schwieterman, Monica Martz, and Sam Martz, a great-niece Lola and great-nephews Aaden, Len and Sawyer.
Brother Jerry was a welcoming presence at Calumet College both to students and staff. He was a conscientious worker and an enthusiastic member of the college family, joining in events and encouraging others. He was easy-going with a wry sense of humor and although he dealt with physical limitations throughout his life, he did not let them deter him. He was practical and humble about asking for help when necessary.
His love for the college and for the people of God went beyond borders, especially when he helped develop the college’s relationship with the people of La Labor, Guatemala. Fluent in Spanish, Brother Jerry coordinated annual service trips to Guatemala for the college, introducing many people to new cultures and new friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Charles Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, with Fr. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S., presiding. Fr. Tim McFarland, C.PP.S., will be the homilist.
Viewing will also be held at St. Charles on Saturday, from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
Burial will follow the Mass in the Community cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.