Gerhardt E. "Jerry" Zellmer

Gerhardt “Jerry” Zellmer, 98, left his home on earth to enter his eternal heavenly home in the wee hours of Sunday morning, August 8, 2021. His bride of almost 68 years, Naomi, 93, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, deeply appreciate the outpouring of love and condolences at this difficult time. A memorial service will be held on August 21, 2021, at Grace Life Fellowship Church in Baton Rouge, where Jerry was a founding elder and member for decades. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to Grace Life Fellowship (gracelifefellowship.org) or to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief (samaritanspurse.org) for the glory of God. Please send notes or cards to the family at: c/o Ruth Harb, 841 Pastureview, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Gerhardt Ebert Zellmer was born in Springfield, Illinois, on May 19, 1923, to Ernest and Magdalene Zellmer. He was the middle of five siblings, Daniel, Marcus, Ernest, and Loris who all predeceased him. The four brothers all served the United States during World War II, and all had wonderful families, leaving many nieces, nephews, and their families. While aboard the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, Gerhardt gave his heart to Jesus Christ, and his life was forever changed. His purpose in anything he did or said was to give God the glory. After the war, Jerry attended SLI (University of Louisiana-Lafayette) and Dallas Theological Seminary. He rode his motorcycle from Dallas to Baton Rouge for a conference one weekend, where he met the love of his life, Naomi Ruth Jueckstock. Three months later, on September 17, 1953, Jerry and Naomi became husband and wife. On the 17th of every month in the almost 68 years since, Jerry has given his bride a small token of love, card, or flower, in renewal of that long-lasting love. Father to six children, Terry, Becky, Ruth, Gayle, Sarah, and Paul, he and Naomi were godly and loving parents, giving guidance, setting boundaries, and teaching them to follow the Lord through Bible devotions every night after supper. Jerry’s heart for God was evident to all in the way he stooped down and leaned in to meet others where they were, to hear their needs, give and serve others. Three of his favorite verses were: “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” ~ Psalm 34:3; “O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” ~ Psalm 34:8; and “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” ~ III John 4. When Jerry turned 40, he followed God’s call to the mission field in Brazil, took the family and left his job for a walk of faith, support from others, and almost ten years serving in various capacities: with the Karaja’ Indians, at the training institute teaching Brazilian missionaries, and at the NTM boarding school for missionary children doing teaching, maintenance, and “parenting” to the kids there. Upon return to the US in 1976, Jerry’s former boss at Louisiana Office Supply asked him to resume his former job as a salesman. This job fit him well in that he was able to meet and encourage people every day and help them find solutions to their needs. He finally retired at the age of 82, seeing no need to stop sooner since he loved his work, the people, and the activity. Jerry loved to stay active, playing with the little children, skipping and walking, making up games, reading to them, and teaching them skills. He always had something to tend to around the house, the garden, yard, or woodworking project. One of his favorite things was flying ~ hang-gliding, airplanes, and even kites, and this always had him looking up to the heavens, stars, and clouds. Maybe he felt a special closeness to God “up there”. Jerry had a song in his heart and on his lips each and every day, and the last song he sang aloud for others was the love song from his own wedding – “Because” - at the wedding of his granddaughter Rachel in May. The hearts of many are hurting, yet blessed in knowing that Jerry is now rejoicing in heaven with his Savior, no longer tired or in pain, and awaiting the reunion with those left behind for a while longer: his wife, Naomi; children, Terry and Barbara Zellmer, Becky and BJ Posey, Ruth and Charbel Harb, Gayle and Chad Saathoff, Sarah and Rex Moore, Paul and Holly Zellmer; grandchildren, Lane Zellmer, Marisa Zellmer, Kaitlyn Posey and Joshua Works, Rachel Posey and Andrew Nfodjo, Cara Posey and Matt Daniels, Jeanna Harb and Sam Broussard, Angela Harb and Josh Hayden, Alex Harb, Dana Saathoff and Tim Eubanks, Garrett Saathoff, Patrick and Liliana Moore, Kristianne Moore, Brandon and Megan Garretson, Emily Zellmer and Cody Cannon; and great-grandchildren, Monroe “MJ” Works, Daniel, Simon, Hannah, James, Phillip, and Micah Broussard, Jonah, Penny, Elliott, and Yvette Hayden, Sophia and Gavin Garretson, and Ritter Cannon.