Gerald Fruit

Gerald L. "Jerry" Fruit, age 80, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Atrium Post Acute Care in Lancaster. He was born on November 17, 1936, in Lancaster, the son of Harold and Esther (Belscamper) Fruit. Jerry graduated from Lancaster High School in 1954. He served his country in the United States Army Reserves for six years. Jerry was employed with his father in Fruit's Garage until his father's death. He continued to operate the garage until 1989. Jerry also served as a part-time county sheriff's deputy and was later employed with the Wisconsin National Guard as a security guard. On September 26, 1992, he was united in marriage to Bonnie (Knapp) Stanfley at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Jerry retired in 1999 and the couple moved back to Lancaster. He enjoyed fishing, gun collecting, gardening and NASCAR. Jerry was a member of the Law Enforcement Association and the Lancaster Volunteer Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Fruit, Lancaster; his children: Tim (Donna) Fruit, Madison; Jill (George) Marin, Alert Lea, MN; step-children: Vernon (Sandy) Stanfley, Stoughton; Steven Stanfley, Lancaster; four grandchildren: Elisha and Suzie Marin and Amanda and Andrea Fruit; step-grandchildren: Dustin, Ben, Brandi, and Deven Stanfley; his sister, Judy (Allen) Wilkins, Madison; other relatives and many friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory, 1234 S Madison, Lancaster, with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Friday, December 16, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services.