Jerome Norton Donner's Obituary
Jerome “Jerry” Donner of Annapolis, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, October 11, 2024 at home surrounded by family and friends.
Born in Pittsburgh on February 9, 1930, to R. William Donner Sr. and Mildred E. (Moniger) Donner. Jerry started his career in printing at Kurtz’s Bros of Clearfield, PA. In the early 1960’s, he moved to MD and began working at Harlowe’s Typography. He later retired from Bowens Farm Supply, as a Small Engine Repair Mechanic. After retirement, he still loved to fix small engines for neighbors, friends or anyone who traveled up the lane to ask his help. Jerry was an active member of the Grace Independent Baptist Church in Crownsville, for 40+ years, during which he served as Deacon.
In 1951, Jerry married the love of his life, Inez D. Aveni. A devoted husband for 73 years, Inez was his sun and moon and together they created lots of stars…4 children (Cynthia Donner Jenkins/William Jenkins, Lon A. Donner/Therese Freda, Jeri L. Donner, Rebecca Donner Hartsook/G. Larry Hartsook), 5 grandchildren (Shannon Jenkins Thompson/Dennis Thompson, Jamie Jenkins Leatherman/Daniel Leatherman, James Donner/Penny Smith Donner, Lon M. Donner/Julia Klein Donner, Reese Donner/Vanessa Sampson, Christina LeBlanc), 11 great grandchildren (Nicole Antonelli/Michael McVearry, Breanna Thompson Wheeler/Jordan Wheeler, Gabrielle Donner Lanier/Faye Lanier, Samantha Thompson, Rebecca Thompson, Caden Donner, Zachary Donner, Daniel Leatherman, Kiersten Donner, Vivian Donner, Drako Donner) and 1 great, great granddaughter (Holly Wheeler). Due to Jerry’s love of children, combined with his gentle nature, vivid imagination and genuine curiosity; once a grandfather, he became Gampy to many. At the church he taught Sunday school, began a puppet ministry, sang and played instruments during service. Later, he would volunteer with the Rockbridge school, becoming Gampy to many of them, as well.
Mr. Donner was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty A. Donner; 4 brothers, Theodore, Harry, Joseph and William; and daughter, Rebecca Hartsook.
Jerry blessed us with a lifetime of love, laughter, music…and pure magic. He had a heart of gold, loved bigger than anyone and when he hugged you…you never wanted to let go. There wasn’t an instrument he couldn’t play, an engine he couldn’t repair or a piece of wood he couldn’t transformed into a better form of itself…he made us all want to be better versions of ourselves. He was the husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend we all strived to be like. The ultimate storyteller, whose infectious laugh made any day better. He had an unwavering faith in God, that he loved to share with everyone he met, in order to ensure he’d “see them again someday”.
A Celebration of Life will be held on November 16th at 2:00pm at Grace Independent Baptist Church 1485 Waterbury Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032
https://gibcmd.com/streaming
The service will also be streamed live courtesy of Grace Independent Baptist Church.
https://gibcmd.com/streaming
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