The Hon. Gerald ""Jerry"" W. Jaeckle

Madison/Janesville/Naples, FL -- The Hon. Gerald ""Jerry""William Jaeckle, age 82, passed away on Monday, August 9, 2010 , at HospiceCare in Fitchburg , following a long battle with emphysema.   He was born on April12, 1928, the son on Clarence and Evelyn Stedingk Jaeckle, in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . He attended Milwaukee schools and graduated in 1946 from Whitefish Bay High School. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and obtained a bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Economics in 1950. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi, and Phi Alpha Delta. He entered the School of Law at the University of Wisconsin and earned his Law Degree in 1953. He was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin following his graduation.   He met his life long partner, Joanne Mac Leish, while they were both attending the University. They were married on August 25, 19 51. Following his graduation Jerry served in the Korean War between 1953 and 1955, first with the 207th Military Police Company in Ft. Riley, Kansas and then as assistant Provost Martial for the St. Louis Area Support Center. In January of 1956, after his honorable discharge, he worked in his family business which was The Milwaukee Building Supply Company, but soon after left to join the law practice of Blakely and Long in Beloit, Wisconsin. He became a partner after one year and remained with the firm until 1965. At this point he and his partner, Edward Grutzner formed a new law firm. While practicing law, he was involved with personal injury law, medical malpractice, divorce and real estate work. The final two years of his practice were devoted principally to representing the Redevelopment Authority of the city of Beloit , Wisconsin . Most of the litigation was condemnation work for the authority. He also taught a general practice course at the University of Wisconsin Law School during this period.   He continued in this practice until 1976 when he was elected to the office of Circuit Judge of Branch three in Rock County in Wisconsin. It was then that the family moved to Janesville and they continued to live there until 2006. His career as a judge was varied. His work included personal injury work of all varieties, family law, juvenile matters and criminal filings. He was the chief judge of Rock County and served on the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instruction Committee and also the Uniform Bond Committee for the State of Wisconsin. He retired from the bench in 1992, but continued to serve the State of Wisconsin as a reserve judge for the next ten years. He worked in Dane, Walworth, Rock, Green, and Dodge County courtrooms. He also did mediations and arbitrations. He was recognized as a fifty year member of the State Bar of Wisconsin in 2003.   His entire career was filled with enthusiasm and dedication to the law. His courtroom demeanor and his reasoned judicial opinions contributed to the effectiveness and efficiency of the court system. He was an avid fan of the Wisconsin Badger Football.   He was also a former Rotarian.   He and his wife, Joanne retired to Naples, Florida in 2002 and became residents of that state. They also delighted in their multiple trips to Europe during this time. Jerry also had an insatiable love of golf. They always maintained a home in Janesville where his greatest satisfaction was a reunion with his children and grandchildren. All who knew him will miss him. He was a wonderful man, devoted husband, caring father and loving grandfather. His children and grandchildren were blessed by his guidance and love and will keep his memory alive forever. He maintained a membership in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Madison.   He is survived by his three daughters, Victoria (Gary) Schroeder of Delafield, Wisconsin, Jill (Dennis) Winters of Madison, Wisconsin, Julie (Michael) Green of Fairland, Indiana; daughter-in-law, Helena (Daniel) Faraca of Kenosha, Wisconsin; and eleven grandchildren Dr. Andrew (Jennifer) Schroeder, and Emily, Stephen, and Laura Schroeder, Daniel, Kenett and Aubrie Winters, Christopher (Heather) Marshall, and Sarah Green, and Nicholas Jaeckle and Melissa (Mathew) Fleming. He also had one great grandchild, Thomas Schroeder. He is further survived by his brother and sister in law, Lorie and Donald Mac Leish of Waunakee and several nieces and nephews. His parents and a son, Dr. Richard Jaeckle preceded him in death.   A Celebration of his life will be held at WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH , 4100 Nakoma Rd. , on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Alex Thornburg officiating.   A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of services.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4100 Nakoma Rd. , Madison , WI 53711 or to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway , Madison , WI 53711 .   The family wishes to thank all the staff and volunteers at Hospice in Fitchburg , Dr. Cornwell and his staff at the University Hospital , and all of the helpful friends during his long illness.   ""What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?    Micah 6:8