Gerald DeFrance

GERALD DEFRANCE

Iowa City

Gerald "Jerry" DeFrance, 93, of Iowa City, died Saturday, July 18, 2015, at the Mercy Hospice Unit of Mercy Iowa City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at St. Mary's with Father Steve Witt officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City, where a vigil service will begin at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Regina Foundation.

Gerald Allen DeFrance was born on Aug. 9, 1921, in Iowa City, to Irving "Barney" and Margaret DeFrance. He attended St. Mary's School, graduating in 1939. He was united in marriage to Eunice "Sam" Burger on June 12, 1946. Jerry served in the U.S. Navy for 3 1/2 years during World War II, enlisting after Pearl Harbor. He was an aviation ordnance man and spent over two years in Okinawa, Japan, returning home shortly before Christmas 1945.

Jerry and Sam lived in Iowa City all of their married life, except for a

10-year stint on a farm on Sand Road south of Iowa City near Hills. Jerry was an auto body repair man beginning his career at U Smash 'Em, I Fix 'Em. He later worked at Nall Motors, Old Capitol Motors, Wagner Pontiac and ended his career with over 25 years at Arena Auto Body. He still worked part time until three months short of his 90th birthday. He had a great work ethic and considered it a privilege to be able to work.

Jerry moved to Legacy Pointe 16 months ago and met many new friends. He started The Fireplace Club at Legacy where every Wednesday they would have beer and wine by the fireplace and his friend, Jim, would bring the popcorn. There was no need for an invitation as everyone was welcome. His longtime friends, Rick and Becky Mascari, came every week to help host the party and gather stories out of many of the participants. Jerry was a feisty kind of guy and it was fun for all. Jerry had a green thumb and could grow anything. He loved plants and flowers and this summer he planted several flowers at Legacy for everyone to enjoy.

Our family would like to thank all the kind and caring staff at Legacy Pointe for spending time with Jerry and keeping him in line (which was quite a task)! Also thank you to the people with Iowa City Hospice and Mercy Hospice for all their care in his final days. A very special thank you to Rick and Becky for their continued love for and support of our Dad.

Jerry was always there for his six children and is survived by them. His children are Jackie (Dennis) Larwa, Iowa City, Marilyn (Marc) Brown, Solon, Jane (Paul) Brown, North Liberty, Jeff "Hank" (Marcy) DeFrance, Iowa City, Mark DeFrance, Hoover, Ala., and John DeFrance, Iowa City. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Ruth Woodhouse; and several nieces and nephews.

His grandchildren are Mark, Tim (Meritt) and Scott (Sandi) Kallaus, Paul Hunstad, Stephanie Sprague, Stacy (Rob) Sueppel, Matt (Katy) and Tony Brown, Lindsey DeFrance, Keri (Ryan) Zieman and Alex DeFrance, Jason (Andrea) and Stacy Duwa, Jennifer (Robert) Hayes, Christy, Emily and Susan DeFrance.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sam; his granddaughter, Amy Hunstad; his brother, Dick; his sister-in-law, Jean O'Neill; and brothers-in-law, John O'Neill and Don Woodhouse.