Gerard “Gerry” Schmelzer went home to our Lord on December 29, 2017.  He was born on Christmas day 1931 and lived to celebrate his 86th birthday surrounded by family and friends.  Preceded in death by his parents Gerhard and Mary (Dalton) Schmelzer, and siblings Geraldine Schmelzer, John Schmelzer, Mary Rosenberg, and Joan Doherty, he is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Joan “Jody” O’Donnell Schmelzer; and children Karen Jacobsen (Kerry) of Pittsburgh, PA, Kathleen Burke (Martin) of San Juan Capistrano, CA, and John “Jay” Schmelzer of Alexandria, VA; and grandchildren: Martin, Nicholas, Michael, Katherine, Colin, Jack, Therese, and Mark; brothers in law Charles Rosenberg and James Doherty Sr. and many nieces and nephews.   

Gerry was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and moved to Washington DC as a young child after his father passed away.  He graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore Maryland and then served four years in the United States Marine Corps.

After meeting the love of his life, he raised his family in Silver Spring Maryland and was very active in St. John the Evangelist Parish where he served many years as a youth group adult advisor and CCD teacher.  Gerry enjoyed a good party and he never the let the truth get in the way of a good story.   In his later years he cherished spending time with his grandchildren and with the many friends who stopped in to visit.

The family will receive friends at St. John the Evangelist Church, 10103 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20902, on Wednesday, January 3 from 4-8pm and on Thursday, January 4 from 10-11am with a mass of Christian burial immediately following at 11.    Interment will be at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery on Rosensteel Avenue. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John the Evangelist School, 10201 Woodland Drive, Silver Spring MD 20902, or Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, 2821 Sarah Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203.  Funeral arrangements by Cole Funeral Services. 

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