Gerald Edward Scheck

REVEREND GERALD EDWARD SCHECK, of Jacksonville, Florida, a man who devoted his life to the service of the Lord and his family, passed away at home on May 19, 2024 at the age of 94, and returned to the arms of his Lord.

Gerald was born in Elgin, North Dakota on March 19, 1930 to Christian and Kathryn (Schmidt) Scheck, one of four children. Gerald’s twin brother, Harold, died shortly after birth. When Gerald was five, his father unexpectedly passed away, and he always wished he had known him better. His mother remarried Fred Rieker, and a step-sister joined the family. Gerald worked the family farm, and loved to ride his horse, Flicka, who reportedly could run 35 miles an hour. As the devoted older brother, Gerald drove his three sisters (Grace, Gladys, Janice) in a horse drawn buggy to a one-room schoolhouse in North Dakota. During high school, Gerald boarded in the town of Lemmon, South Dakota. It was at Lemmon High School where he met his sweetheart and the love of his life, Donna (Josund). Donna’s parents believed in the strength of education and helped Gerald to attend college and later seminary. Gerald took the lessons of the farm – hard work and perseverance - with him wherever he went. He passed those lessons and the love of education on to his three sons.

Gerald graduated Lemmon High School in May 1950. In September 1950, he enrolled in Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. He was called to service during the Korean War. Gerald spent his Army career as a Chaplain’s assistant in Okinawa, and was discharged in 1954. Gerald shared many times that the hard work and conditioning as a farm boy had better prepared him for the rigors of basic training and active service compared to the city boys.

On a leave home, Gerald proposed and in 1954 Gerald and Donna married at Calvary Lutheran Church, Lemmon, SD. On their wedding day on January 17, 1954, it was a wind chill of -20 degrees.

Upon his return to the US, Gerald continued his education at Concordia College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. As a young newlywed, his studies took him to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN where he received his Master of Divinity in 1960. Gerald was ordained in July 1960 at the Josund family church in Lemmon. His first call was to Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot, SD.

Gerald was called to serve many Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America (ALC/ELCA). He faithfully served all of them, including First Lutheran, Pipestone, MN; Nazareth/St.Paul’s Lutheran, Beresford, SD; St. Peter’s, Sanborn, NY; St. Paul’s Fulton, MD; and Christ Lutheran, Jacksonville, FL.

After retiring from full-time ministry in 1995, St. James Lutheran Church in Jacksonville called him to provide support and guidance to their parishioners. He was also called on by the Jewish Messianic Congregation, Jacksonville to serve their interim needs. At Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church, he periodically led worship services.

Gerald’s devotion to both the Word and his congregations was always recognized and appreciated by his parishioners.

Throughout his life, Gerald was a servant of God and demonstrated his faith in every aspect of his life. In each of his callings, he was a devoted spiritual shepherd who led with a strong biblical foundation and scholarly approach to religion, gaining the respect of all who knew him. He was a man of great humility and quiet reflection. He was lovingly called Jerry by those who knew him.

Donna and Gerald shared 70 years together, the last 47 years in Jacksonville, FL. In later life, his children and grandchildren became his joy, and watching them succeed brought him much pleasure.

Gerald is survived by his beloved wife, Donna; sons Dr. David and Christine Scheck (Tulsa, OK) and Paul Esq. and Virginia Scheck (Orlando, FL) and their children Rebecca, Peter and Joseph; grandchildren Brandon Scheck (Tallahassee, FL), and Rachael Scheck (Orlando, FL); and daughter-in-law, Julie Scheck (Jacksonville, FL). Gerald was predeceased by his oldest son, Steven Scheck, his parents, stepfather, and his sisters, Grace Bubbers, Gladys Staiger and Janice Humphrey. There are many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends across the country that will miss his warm and genuine concern.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church, 7860 Southside Boulevard, Jacksonville and streaming services will be available. He will be interred on Monday, June 24 at 10 a.m. at a military service at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Corey-Kerlin, Jacksonville.

For those that are unable to attend the memorial service or want to honor or recognize Gerald, donations may be made to Lutheran World Relief.

Gerald’s favorite verse: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Gal. 2:20