Gerald M. Stedman

Gerald “Jerry” Morton Stedman, age 88, passed away peacefully at home, on November 5, 2024, after years of progressive COPD. Jerry was born in Oakwood Illinois, on March 6, 1936, to Margaret (Burke) and Vernon Stedman. He attended Danville High School before relocating to Toledo, Ohio, ultimately graduating from DeVilbiss High School.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1958, where he was stationed at Camp Hanford in Washington State as a Signal Corps military photographer.

Jerry met his wife, Louise Hayes, in 1958, while she worked at the Lion’s store with his mother and sister, when she was on breaks from BGSU. They wed in 1960 and celebrated their 64th anniversary on August 28, 2024.

Jerry was an accomplished finished carpenter, woodworker, and craftsman. He and Louise owned Sand Ridge Custom Builders and built and remodeled many homes throughout the region, including their home and workshop in the woods of Whitehouse. He excelled at making handcrafted furniture created with tools handed down from generations of craftsmen in their family. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, reading and history.

Jerry lived a rich life and loved to share stories of his time growing up near Possum Trot, IL, escapades in the U.S. Army and his early years in Toledo. A man of few words, he was deliberate and kind. He had the unique ability to cut tension and put people at ease with his quick wit. Although Jerry suffered fools gladly, he preferred that more people live by the adage “It’s better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. Jerry is survived by his wife, Louise Stedman (Waterville); sons, Jon (Jacki) Stedman, Perrysburg, Greg Stedman (California); former daughter-in-law, Christy Toohey (Paonia, CO); grandchildren, Paul Stedman (Perrysburg), Nathaniel Stedman (Minneapolis, MN), Emmalee Stedman, (Denver, CO), Elizabeth (Lily) Stedman (Paonia, CO); and niece and nephew, Rachel Latta and Luke Hayes, both of Waterville OH. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister, Kay Wagenknecht.

At Jerry’s insistence, there will be no formal gathering, however, family will have a private celebration of his life. The family asks that you consider a random act of kindness for a stranger, donate to a charity of your choice, or give to Hospice of Northwest Ohio in his memory.

Cremation services are being provided by the Cremation Society of Toledo.