Jerome S. "Jerry" Demille

Jerome S. “Jerry” DeMille, age 83, of Appleton and formerly of Fond du Lac, passed away on April 13, 2021 at Theda Care Regional Medical Center in Appleton after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Stephenson, Mich. on January 1, 1938 to William and Helen (Smith) DeMille. He graduated high school in 1956 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for 3 years, spending time in Germany.



After the army he worked at American Motors in Milwaukee assembling automobiles for several years before joining IBM where he worked for 25 years, retiring at age 50. During his employment with IBM, Jerry had the opportunity to transfer to Fond du Lac, where he spent most of his life. After retiring from IBM, he spent the next 10 years traveling throughout the United States and Canada working for Perma Pipe where he inspected weld joints in pipelines. On September 9, 1982 Jerry married Beverly Stelmacher in Fond du Lac. She preceded him in death on April 29, 2018.



He was a “Jerry” of all trades and enjoyed working with his hands. His primary love was stained glass and woodworking. Jerry handcrafted many wooden lamps, making each one unique. Most anyone who knew Jerry was gifted one of his stained-glass Christmas angels or lamps. He also built houses, cabinets, anything made from wood. He was truly an artist. In his retirement years, Jerry, and his beloved wife Beverly, loved to travel the world and were able to cross many places off their bucket list. He loved to read and devoured many books during his quiet time. Jerry always enjoyed having a glass of scotch in his hand as he read in the evening. Jerry loved his walks and would try to walk daily. At his last place of residence, he loved to walk around the ponds admiring all the wildlife. Jerry enjoyed talking about the geese, deer, cranes, and other wildlife he encountered along the way.



Jerry is survived by his blended family of six children, Scott (Chrissy) Stelmacher, Todd (Linda) Stelmacher, John DeMille, Michelle (Brian) Donnelly, Becky (Andy) Heldt and Julie (Dave) Braun; seven grandchildren, Michael and Bryce Donnelly, Kyle and Cassidy Welhouse, Maggie Stelmacher, and McKenzie and Kendal Braun; and one great-granddaughter, Savannah Sheldon-Donnelly. He is further survived by two sisters, Betty Prall and Mary (Dean) Ludvigsen; brother, Bill (Jeanette) DeMille, sister-in-law, Lois DeMille, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William, and Helen; his wife, Beverly; grandson, Hunter Donnelly; brother, James John DeMille; and four infant siblings.



Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave. in Fond du Lac. A celebration of Jerry’s life will begin at 11:00 AM. Military Funeral Honors will be presented following the celebration. Masks are required while in attendance. Cremation has taken place.



Jerry was so blessed to receive such compassionate and competent care from all the staff at Theda Care Regional Medical Center in Appleton. They brought all of us peace and comfort knowing that every last option was exercised to keep him comfortable.



Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com