MERCER, Wis. - Jerry passed away on January 23, 2025, at the age of 70 in Ironwood, Michigan, surrounded by many loving members of his family. On September 4, 1954, he was the fourth of eight children born to Kenneth Baehman and Mary (Bohman) Baehman Cummings. Jerry was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Stephensville, Wisconsin. He attended St. Mary's grade school in Greenville, Wisconsin, and graduated from Hortonville High School. Jerry was united in marriage to Alice Stanek on May 8, 1976. They later divorced. Jerry spent his life working several different jobs. He put his heart into all of them. His first job was working on Tony Lauer's farm. The Lauers treated Jerry like family, and to this day they remained a very special part of his life. Occasionally spending a weekend fishing at Tony's shack on the river in Stephensville was one of Jerry's greatest enjoyments. His most recent years were spent working at a bakery in Mercer, making the "best donuts around." He had a knack for woodworking. Many of us were recipients of his whimsical projects. Jerry was a whiz at building puzzles. We would try to send him puzzles that would stump him, but he always mastered them gleefully! Jerry had a passion for growing plants. He could take any dying plant or cutting and grow something beautiful. We will all miss Jerry's positive, upbeat attitude about everything he did.

Jerry and Alice had two wonderful children, Kimberly and Joseph. They were truly his pride and joy. As they grew up, Jerry enjoyed their many activities, especially watching Joe play baseball. Jerry was a member of the Appleton MacDowell Male Chorus for many years. He had a beautiful voice and loved singing. Jerry had a number of nicknames in his lifetime- "Rudy" "Binky" and "J-Rod" to name a few, but we will remember him best as "Dad" and "Brother."

He will be sadly missed by his children, Kimberly, Minneapolis, and Joseph, Appleton. He is further survived by his sisters: Julie (Dennis) Brandt, Hortonville, Philomene Dvorachek, Appleton, Jean (Jerry) Julius, Greenville, Mary (Gary) Hart, Katherine (Robin) Fannin, Karla (Brian) Boushley, Elizabeth (Joe) Lefeber, and brother, John (Melissa) Cummings, all of Hortonville, and special god-daughter, Brittney Roberts, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Baehman, mother and stepfather, Mary and Bill Cummings, infant brother, Joseph, and brother-in-law, Robert Dvorachek.

The Funeral Mass for Jerry will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Stephensville with Fr. Michael Thiel officiating. Burial will be in the St. Patrick's Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

For the past few years, Jerry called Mercer home. To say that he loved it up in "God's Country" would be an understatement. Although filled with sadness, we are happy to be bringing him home to Stephensville to be laid to rest.

Sleep in peace, Jerry.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan, is assisting the family. To send online condolences or to share a memory please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.