Gerald R. Ismert

Jul 14, 2015 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2015 | 6 comments

Gerald R. Ismert, son, brother, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather passed away on Monday, July 13th, 2015 surrounded by his family.

He was born on October 4th, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest son of Martin E. and Elsie Ismert.
Jerry attended Visitation Grade School, Rockhurst High School, Class of 1946 and graduated from Rockhurst College in 1950. He served in the United States Army from January, 1951 through October, 1952 and is a veteran of the Korean War.

On November 22, 1952, Jerry married Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Hodes. They have been married for 62 wonderful years. They enjoyed going to church every morning together, walking, watching movies, going to sales of any kind and just being together.

He owned and operated Service Supply Company, a wholesale plumbing distributorship in Merriam, Kansas that he started in 1975. He showed up to work every day since the first day it opened until just weeks before his passing. One of his plumbing reps called him “the last true gentleman in the industry”. He loved coin and stamp collecting, watching Westerns, KU basketball, and studying history and maps from around the world. For seventeen straight years, Jerry loaded up his entire family which included his 10 children and their families and headed to Nederland, Colorado. They spent all their time hiking and enjoying the great outdoors, cooking dinner on an open camp fire, and just having fun with each other. A lot of memories were made on those trips and will be cherished for a lifetime.

Jerry is a devoted Catholic and has been a member of Christ the King Church for over 50 years.

Jerry is survived by his wife Betty of the home and 10 of his 11 children: Mary and Reed Black, Jean and Wade Long, Tommy and Linda, Susie, Tina and Jerry Miller, Bob and Pam, Peter and Tracy, Janie (deceased), Katie and Michael Foster, Joani and Mike Campbell and Chris and Anja.

He also leaves behind 19 grandchildren who will cherish his memory: Maggie, Carson, Mackenzie (Bud), Jackie (Terrance), Adam (Lisa), Molly (Jamie), Kevin, Cody, Jerry (Brooke), Jimmy, Greg, Jake (Ashley), Maddy, Nathan, Nick, TJ, Jack, Marin and Sam. He also leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren: Zayne, Hannah, Avery, Hayleigh, Adisin, Grace and Chloe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Christ the King Church, 8510 Wornall Road, KCMO 64114. The family will greet friends from 9:00-10:00 am, the Rosary will be prayed at 10:00 and the Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 am. Burial will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kansas City, KS.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Republic County Food Bank in Belleville, KS or the Christ the King Food Pantry.

Jerry was a simple and humble man who enjoyed spending time with his family and will be sorely missed by each one of them. And Dad we all love you very much and will always remember what you told us:

Be good
Say your prayers
Obey your teachers
Study Hard
Learn
Obey your mother and father
And all those in Authority

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Jeanie Neenan

8 years ago

I loved meeting up with Betty and Jerry, walking and talking at Ward Parkway mall. For years I could count on seeing you two, smiling, chatting, pounding the pavement together. I love both of you and your big ol’ family. My mom had a special place in her heart for both of you, too. God bless your family, and especially you, Betty, in the days and weeks ahead. Love, Jeanie Neenan

kathy hobbs

8 years ago

I knew tommy pretty well and I am sorry to here about his loss god bless your family

Kyleen Wilson

8 years ago

I am so sorry to learn of Jerry’s passing!

Jerry and Tommy both held special places in my heart when I worked with them many years ago. I have thought of the Service Supply family often.

Jerry will be truly missed!

Kyleen (formerly with Summit Sales)

Jim Richter

8 years ago

Betty: So sorry to learn of Jerry’s passing. Thruout our final year at Visitation and all of Rockhurst, he was one of my closest friends…Visitation football, basketball, baseball, HS basketball, college tennis…HS “Southside Poker Club”. Sorry the Korean war marked my departure from KC, followed by employment and retirement in other areas of the country…too bad we lost touch!

Ken Wood-Catholic

7 years ago

What a wonderful Christian man!

For sure he has heard those longed-for word:

“WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, NOW ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR MASTER!”

Harry Simpson

9 months ago

Rest Gerald, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.

Thank you for your service to this nation. U.S. Army, Korean War.

Kind Words

Thank you both for the patience and understanding on the logistics of BK's funeral arrangements. It was a pleasure to work with you both. My sister, Julie, couldn't have been more pleased. The services you offer are well thought out and executed with compassion.

MHD

Dad has commented several times since mom's passing how her Celebration of Life was such a nice tribute to her and how grateful he was for that process to be handled so smoothly.

Beth W.

You both have exceeded your calling, and I'm so grateful you were there for me.

Marchia

Thank you so much for all of the care and concern you have given our family. We appreciate all of your help in planning the funeral. You did a wonderful job!

The Abram Family

Words will never be enough to properly express our gratitude...Your care for him and your guidance in our hour of need will never be repaid. Thank you, a million times, for you compassion and respectful service.

Nicole

Thank you so much for your compassionate care of our family. You have answered Dad's call to comfort grieving families, and we are so grateful.

Nancy

"Thank you so much for the wonderful help you have been to our family. You met and exceeded our wishes"

Bukeka and Makeda

"You gave us the personal attention that we needed during the process. Thank you for going the extra step for us"

Cynthia

"A giant THANK YOU for your knowledge, care, concern, suggestions and friendship"

Joyce F.

"Thank you so much for coordinating my mom's funeral. You could not have been more respectful and empathetic"

Amy E.

Thanks for making this an easier experience than I could have imagined.

Bill B.

You made the whole experience of losing my Dad so much more bearable thank I could have imagined. Thank you so much for everything.

Paula H.

Thank you again for all of your help, support and encouragement.

Linda S.

I want to thank you and the friend that is making these wonderful white cloths ... whenever I see it it reminds me of a shroud and brings a very pleasant peace.

thank you dear friend

Elaine

I'm Speechless, you are so kind. You made Richard's celebration of Life and awesome experience. Richard and I shared our life together for 45 years and you have put my life in a happier place.
Most Grateful I am, Robert S.

Robert S.

Your service (and that of the other team members at Signature Funerals) was so helpful to my family throughout the aftermath of my dad's death. Thank you again for your sensitive but wide-ranging help and advice. The service and celebration of his life went smoothly and was cathartic to everyone, due in large part to all of you at Signature Funerals.

Katie C.

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With much gratitude and love,

Vicki and family

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Jill H.

Cathy Boomer has a very calming influence and sense of peacefulness about her, even in the most emotional situations. She handled all the details of my mother's passing and funeral with professional dignity. She was unobtrusive but in control of all the little details and we, as a family, relied on her with immense satisfaction.

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Ralph F.

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Genanne D.

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Sue and Bernie

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Mark R.

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Eleanor P.

I want to thank you, on behalf of my family, and father in particular, beginning with your presence with us the night of mom's passing in her room. You were a calming presence throughout. Your funeral space is lovely and uplifting. It was, indeed, the perfect space for such a somber, but also celebrated gathering. Thank you for your guidance throughout.

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Jim and Leslie

"Thank you so very much for all the work you did for Papa. He was the neatest man and I'm so lucky to have had so much time with him. We are grateful."

Cherlyn

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Holly G.

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Brian O.

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Anne E.

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Debbie Brown

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Mabel B.

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Marta Reber Warren

"I feel so lucky to have been able to know you a little and work with you for the funeral of our mom. You were everywhere and it was a comfort to us to turn her over to you, knowing you would treat her with loving kindness. Thank you so much."

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Andre Player | Vice President Anthem Media Group