Gerald “Jerry” Zierau, 85, of Wooster died on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at West View Healthy Living after 5-year battle with Alzheimer’s.
Jerry was born in Magdeburg, East Germany on October 8, 1938 to the late Gustav and Helene Schweizer Zierau. He was the second youngest of seven children. His dream as a child was to come to America. Only his mother knew of his dream. Jerry went through some red tape with refugee camps but after 13 months, he made it to Glenmont, OH in 1955. He stayed with his aunt and uncle for 3 years. He worked for Byers Tree out of Loudonville and then at Briarhill Stone in Glenmont. He always said coming to America was paradise compared to East Germany.
In 1962, he married Edith Berg. They were married for 61 years.
In addition to his wife Edie; he survived by his children: son, Heinz (Tanya) Zierau, & daughters, Heidi (Kelly) Sheely and Christel (Paul) McGee; grandchildren Paige (Kyle) Schafrath, Blake (Chrissy) Zierau, Logan (Sarah) Zierau, Lance (Kaitlyn Svopa) Zierau, Emily (Paul) Miller, Mitchell (Emily) Sheely, Luke (Christina) McGee and Mason McGee; Great grandchildren Payton, Kendall and Ellie Schafrath, Tate Zierau, Vaniah, Lucy, and Jesse Zierau, Griffin and Jainey Miller, Lilah and Mia Sheely. And a great granddaughter due in August. A sister Annedore Vegezzi of Overland Park, KS.
Jerry, held jobs at International Paper, Nickles Bakery and retired after 35 years with Smith Dairy. He was known for being the jolliest milkman with the most infectious smile and bringing soccer to the community in 1973; known as the Wooster Soccer Association. Jerry was also a season ticket holder of the College of Wooster Men’s basketball team. He coached many soccer teams and refereed numerous high school and college games. He loved playing and coaching a men’s over 50 soccer team who they named after him – Absolut Zierau. He also thoroughly enjoyed his grandkids and great grandkids.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 1:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek funeral home 216 E. Larwill St. Wooster OH with John Rein officiating. Burial will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery, in Glenmont.
Friends will be received 2 hours prior to the service on Tuesday.
Contributions may be directed to Lifecare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd. Wooster, Oh 44691 or the Wooster Soccer Association C/O Laura Rickett 4600 McCauley Rd. Wooster, OH 44691.
The family would like to thank the staff of Bridges and Carrington at West View Healthy Living and Lifecare Hospice of Wooster for their amazing care provided to Jerry.
Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I had the pleasure to take care of Jerry at Westview. I don’t believe Jerry knew how to have a bad day! He always had a smile on his face and brightend every room he entered. I would of loved to have e
met him in his earlier yrs. Jerry, and his family have been such a blessing in my life.
I’m so sorry. Dads hold a special place on their daughters hearts—-out first love. My prayers are with you.
Sincere sympathy to all of the Zierau family. Wonderful childhood memories of Mr Zierau including treats from the milk truck. He always had a radiant smile and his laugh was contagious. He was an amazing whistler. Sending love to your family.
Oh my…., I can’t begin to express to your family how very sorry I am for your loss. Just keep in mind that he is now at peace and no longer confused. My mom died after dealing with this horrible disease for several years. Keep in mind that he is in a much better place and he has been made whole
We are so sorry to have heard this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Jerry was a tremendous man with an infectious laugh that was truly a privilege to know. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I only met them a few times over the years but feel compelled to share a story I hope that brings a smile, even a brief one, at times like this.
I first met Jerry nearly 11 years ago. I was looking for a soccer team to play for and the league told me about a team in Wooster that might need a player, coached by Jerry. I called him, I still remember the conversation because I was on a cell phone, and it was a bit tough to talk with him. He asked I come down and meet with him at his house to discuss “what I needed to bring” for games. After meeting with him, it was apparent our discussion had nothing to do with the color of the jerseys or to remind me to wear shin guards, I just left a tryout! He loved the game so much, he wanted to meet me to see if I’d be a good fit for the team. It dawned on me as I backed out of his driveway, that a 39-year-old Akronite just drove an hour to be vetted by a coach to play for a “rec” team I knew no one on.
Once I started playing for him and the team, I soon realized his passion and love for the game transcended a mere hobby and that he wanted to be around others who shared the passion for the game, and nearly as importantly some good laughs and a few beers in the parking lot after.
I am so grateful the stars aligned for me to meet him and to play for him. He will be missed, but not forgotten.
I will never forget your dad taking us to get our LASIK eye surgery 23 years ago!!! He was so kind and patient in putting up with three silly, blind girls on happy drugs and wearing those goofy goggles after the surgery!
He loved well and was well loved.
So, so many happy memories with Daddy Z! I will always remember his happy quick walk putting cold milk in our milk box, always stopping to say hi and check on us when he saw us out and about. Then greeting him when he got home from work and I was hanging out with my dear friend, Heidi. He backed that milk truck into that back corner, literally jumped out, quick to plug it in, and ask us what we were doing…besides eating bologna and ketchup sandwiches. Every time I hear Feliz Navidad I see and hear him “jammin” out. Heaven gained a kind, smiling man. Mrs. Z, Heinz, Heidi and Christel, my heartfelt condolences to all of you. He’s back to himself, getting a soccer team together up in heaven. He’ll surely keep an eye on all of you. Love and prayers to all of you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. You have our deepest sympathy.
I have such fond memories of your dad and the traveling girls soccer team we played on together! I’m so sorry for your loss he was such a sweet funny man!
I am so sorry for your loss.
All my thoughts and prayers are with your family. Christel has shared many stories and while I never met Jerry, I do know he had one of the biggest and brightest smiles I’ve ever seen in all the pictures shared with me. We are so sorry for your loss.
Edie and all the family, I am sorry to hear about Jerry! All of my family just loved him! He was our milkman for years! I babysat for Heinz, Heidi and Kristel when I was a teenager. Jerry and Edie treated me so kind always. As I ran into Jerry later in my life he gave me good advice. Love and prayers for all of you! Love , Becky and my mom Donna.
My heart aches for your loss. Please know that will forever be remembered fondly by me.
I had the pleasure of working with Jerry at westview. He always knew how to make the staff laugh and have a good day! I am very thankful I got to know him. He will be dearly missed by all of us.
Our sympathies to the Zierau family for the loss of Jerry. The Zierau family was a cornerstone for the neighborhood kids with Jerry and Edie as its matriarchs. Many great memories of hanging out at the house and playing in the yard. Jerry was a kind, generous, fun loving person that he is certainly in a better place, preparing the pitch for our future arrival. Just hope he keeps that whistle in his pocket….
My heart goes out to all of you! I had the honor of learning Soccer from Jerry and went through School with Christel & Heidi . I wish you peace and comfort.
My husband introduced me to Jerry at the soccer field. He was such a a nice man with a nice family. We so much appreciated Heinz visits with John while in Hospice. I am so sorry for your loss.
Christel and family,
What a wonderful guy! Such mischievousness in those blue eyes. I’m terribly sorry for your loss.
Prayers for peace,
Lisa
Christel and Family ~
You are not alone in your sorrow. Please find peace in all of the wonderful memories and love you have, and that never leaves! Love and thougths are with you during this difficult times. So truly sorry for your the pain your dealing with. Hugs to all. ~Kelly
What a beautiful smile he had! I enjoyed reading all the stories here about him. Love all around! Our sympathies to all the families who loved him so much.
So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to your entire family at this time.
I had the pleasure of meeting Paul and Christel many years ago while Paul was playing softball for Fought Sign’s with my brother-in-law Danny.
Christel, it was so nice to reconnect at the support group meetings. I will miss the cute stories that you always told about your dad. He sure sounds like a wonderful man.
I am lucky to have the Zierau as relatives, and still remember going to a graduation party and seeing Christel there and trying to put it all together. Small Wayne County 🙂
Hold tight to all your wonderful memories of your dad during this most difficult time. Mark and I will be praying for you all. Our sympathies to your entire family.
Jerry was an inspiration to all of us .. I enjoy been Jerry’s soccer player and we had numerous conversations , He make me so welcome to team and most of all enjoy His great composure and attitude regardless of the final score on the games .. I miss his passion and his good humor.. I ask him many questions about his pass in Germany and I did enjoy his culture He was also interested in my country Costa Rica.. when I visit Germany He want to know my thoughts , I personally think He liked USA best so do I .. RIP my friend! Praying for the family!
So sorry for your loss. I have known Jerry since 2007 when I joined the soccer team. Roman Delgadillo introduced us. I enjoyed getting to know him as a friend and a coach and, of course, he taught me about the importance of having a beer meister for every game.
Edie and Family,
We were sorry to hear of Gerry ‘s passing. He was a good friend and a great Milk man. He always put milk in Frig and enjoyed a cup of coffee on his run. We know He will be missed by all who knew him.
Our prayers for all of you.
Roy and Donna Edington
So sorry for your loss Christel and Heidi.
Love to the family of Jerry. He meet so many people who loved and admired him.Was a great neighbor..the family are speciel people!!My sincere sympathy to you and yours.
I wasn’t able to attend the memorial, but I have a few words about Jerry. He exuded kindness and happiness with every word. I remember a pep talk he gave at half time of a game that we played like crap. He reminded us of the beer and snacks after the game, and then said, “I think we need to play a little better”. I still see the twinkle in his eye and smile as he said it. I had many conversations with Jerry, though not as many as most others, but they were all filled with laughs and smiles. I always appreciated how Jerry made me feel…like he knew me for a lifetime and was welcoming me home. I missed him when I stopped playing, as I miss him now.
We recently moved to a family home that my grandparents built in 1949. It is located in Smithville. I have so many memories of being here, but one memory that really stands out is when their milkman would arrive at the house and leave their dairy products on the porch. It always made their day to see him!