Gerard Linenfelser

Gerard Aloysius Linenfelser January 26, 1928 - April 19, 2016 Mr. Linenfelser was born in Wyandotte, Michigan to Daniel and Ida (Liptow) Linenfelser. He was the third of five children and grew up on Elm Street. He had a happy childhood that included being a boy scout, a trumpet player and playing football. Gerard graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in 1945, where he served as class president and earned academic excellence with an A average during his four years. Following high school he attended Sacred Heart Seminary for a short time. He then served in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Japan. In 1948 he met Ardith Mae Crapo. He proposed to her during her senior year of high school and they were married July 2, 1949. They were married for more than 66 years. Gerard worked as a draftsman for many years with Lincoln Park Engineering, but most knew him as a Wyandotte Firefighter for which he served for 33 ½ years. He was recognized for acts of heroism by the Police and Fire Commission for performing “duty beyond the circumstances“ in the rescue of a child from a fire. In addition to serving in Wyandotte, Gerard assisted in the fire-prevention efforts in the 1967 riots in Detroit. Gerard led an active Christian life and began as an altar boy in his youth. In 1970 he helped to mark a milestone and became one of ten St. Elizabeth’s parishioners who were installed as Extraordinary Lay Ministers of the Eucharist. He continued many years of parish life at St. Elizabeth and St. Cyprian Catholic Churches. In retirement, he regularly visited the nursing home to distribute communion. Gerard enjoyed many years of camping, traveling the world and being an adventurer. His family of 6 children traveled the U.S. during the summers to enjoy wonderful camping vacations from New York to Florida to California and Washington. Later, he and his wife, traveled the world, visiting Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, The Holy Land, Egypt and Mexico. Mr. Linenfelser is survived by his wife, Ardie and 6 children. Therese Corum (Dennis), Julie Anne Soper (Carl), Gregory Linenfelser (Paula), Louise Hurless, Jeffrey Linenfelser (Amelia) and Jayne Simmons (Bill Neubauer), 23 grand children and spouses and 11 great grandchildren. Many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Ida and sisters, Delphine Johnson (Robert) and Virginia Schweiss (Ralph). His brothers survive, Wilfred (Anne) Linenfelser and Norbert (Joan) Linenfelser..