Gerald Preusz

Gerald James "Jim" Preusz passed away peacefully in his sleep in themorning hours of May 30. An avid cook, he loved food and preparing andsharing it with others. Jim also loved to play golf and heenjoyed watching the Sunday Golf tournaments from the comfort of his couchalmost as much as playing it. From that couch, he also enjoyed watchingWesterns, as that was the ONLY channel ever on, besides the channelbroadcasting the golf tournaments! From 1966 to 1969, Jim proudly served the country he loved so dearwith two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded several medals - including thePurple Heart. He loved to talk about his time in Vietnam, and he lovedthe Vietnamese people and culture as well, and took pride in his abilityto understand spoken Vietnamese. He wore his VietnamVeteran hat with great pride, and on a recent trip to WashingtonD.C., accompanied by his dad, Gerald L.Preusz, Jim experiencedhandshakes, hugs, and photo-ops from fellow Americans who were sograteful for his service. That fact, mixed with his undying devotion tohis country, was a moving experience for Jim that brought him to tears onmany occasions. With his deep voice, Jim was also known for 'lovingly' harrassing hissiblings and many, many nieces and nephews through the years withchases and tickles that always ended in a big heap of screams andlaughter. "Uncle Jim, Jimmy, or Zimmy," will always be remembered by evenhis great nieces and nephews as the guy who would, "Catch you and eat yourbelly, with a deep 'Fee Fy Fo Fum...'" He was a big practical joker andloved to 'torture' his sisters with them on a regular basis. Jim will be remembered for the love in his heart, the love for hisfamily, and the love for his country. He will be sadly missed by hissurviving family - his father and step-mother, Gerald L. Preusz and SandraBanta Preusz; his brothers Stephen L. Preusz and his wifeDottie, Samuel J. Preusz and his wife Kathy; his sisters SharonPreusz-Spahr, Debra Preusz Ashmore and her husband Randall Ashmore, TinaPreusz, and Vanessa Parrish. He is also survived by a daughter and threegrandchildren, and many, MANY nieces and nephews as well as great-niecesand nephews who knew him and loved him. He is preceded in death by hismother, Rose Marie Yerkes. Funeral services will be held at Noon Friday, June 1, 2012 at Goodwin Funeral Home with Rev. Rick Grant officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Friday. Online condolences may be made at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com