June 2, 1937 ~ January 21, 2026
A man after God’s own heart was called home to heaven at 1:35 p.m. on January 21, 2026. Jerry Ernest Ruch was born on June 2, 1937 in Fulton County, Indiana to Harry Richard and Marie Ottilie Ruch. He was the oldest of five children and is survived by his sister, Carol Willis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers (Ralph Richard and Carl Leon), his baby sister (Elna Kay), and his eldest daughter and her husband (Linda Sue and Bruce Catterlin).
He graduated in 1955 from Burnettsville High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was chosen to serve in the Signal Corps in Top Secret Communications. While in the Army, he met his bride Freida O. Hudson. They married on August 1, 1959 and raised three children Linda Sue Catterlin (Bruce), Larry Stephen Ruch (Tami), and Pamela Joy Harrod (Stephen). His grandchildren include Cari Minick (Rodney), Casey Catterlin (Cassie), Cody Catterlin (Marcy), Jeremy Ruch, Amy Marie Melendez (Ivan), Amy Joy Hall (Brad), and Brian Harrod (Rachel). His great grandchildren Jaci (Alex), Jonah, Hunter, Nolan, Charlotte, Carter, Cole, Eliza, Haley, Carmen, Joseph, Adalynn, and Mateo, and his two great great grandchildren Nevaeh and Alexis loved him and will miss him dearly.
Jerry was a quiet man, but his words and actions were filled with wisdom and humor. As a young man, he developed a great work ethic and spent most of his career working with the United Telephone Company. He was instinctively a carpenter, electrician, and mechanic. He could master any crisis or obstacle thrown at him. His main side passion was farming. He purchased a small farm in 1968 and spent all the different seasons of his life plowing, planting, watering and harvesting. This passion transferred beautifully to his daily walk with the Lord. He became a believer in Jesus Christ at the age of 19. He was faithful to share the gospel in various ministries throughout his life. He ran a bus route, helped in AWANA, served as a Deacon and Trustee, helped build the church, and volunteered wherever he could be helpful. He would plant the seed, water when he could, and wait and pray to God for the harvest. He was salt and light in our world, and we long for the day when we will reunite with him. He was a hero to us!
Visitation will be held 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 26, 2026 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel. Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Ted Traylor officiating. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Ruch, Brian Harrod, Brad Hall, Casey Catterlin, Cody Catterlin and Greg Jernigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Gideon’s International at https://gideons.org/donate
A great big thank you to Vitas Healthcare nurses and staff, Emily Laird, Melissa Padgett, and Angela Thompson for stepping in when needed along the journey. You have been a true blessing to our family!
