Gerald Hodge Obituary (1938 – 2020) – Sebastian, FL
Gerald Hodge
Born: January 12, 1938 in Princeton, IL
Died: December 11, 2020 in Sebastian, FL
Princeton – Gerald Lee “Jerry” Hodge, 88, husband of the late Ellen Mary Brickley and partner to Joan Elaine Dickhaus, died April 17, 2021 at Indian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Florida after battling lung cancer.
He was born August 20, 1932 in Princeton, Illinois to Russell Hodge and Zara Hodge (Nagle). At age 19, Jerry enlisted with the United States Navy. He proudly served as a pipe fitter on the carrier The Ingersoll during the Korean War. While in service he received the National Defense Service Medal, The United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the China Service Medal. Jerry separated from the Navy in 1956 and moved to San Diego, California.
Jerry married Ellen Mary Brickley in August of 1959 and raised four children in the San Diego area. He attended San Diego State University and received a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential in 1961. In the summers he taught summer school, ran a household repair business, and some summers worked at the Hodge Welding Shop in Princeton, Illinois. Jerry later retired and, relocated first to Vero Beach, Florida, then to Sebastian, Florida.
He is survived by his partner Joan Elaine Dickhaus in Sebastian, Florida; his children: Joseph Russell Hodge in Princeton, Illinois; Patrick Sean Hodge in San Diego, California; Cathleen Mary Hodge in Walnut Creek, California and Doreen Hodge in Palm Coast, Florida; three grandchildren: Stefanie, Christopher, and Sean; two sisters: Mary Lou Dunning of San Diego, California and Kathy May of San Diego, California; and two brothers: Tom Hodge of Princeton, Illinois and Randy Hodge of Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jerry had the gift of the gab and was a gifted story teller. He was a devoted father, friend, and grandfather. While in San Diego, he spent time as a lifeguard, loved to scuba dive, surf, free dive, and camp. He spent many weekends at the beach and camping with his family. He was an avid kayaker, cyclist, photographer, amateur astronomer, and orchid lover, and loved traveling in his RV. Later in life he was fortunate to meet another partner in life, Elaine, and he and Elaine spent many years exploring Florida with their kayaks, cycling, and star gazing at Kissimmee Prairie and other spots. He also belonged to an astronomy club and guarded turtle nests on the beach in Florida during mating season.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery in Princeton, IL., Officiated by Pastor Marsha Peddicord.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice in memory of Gerald Lee Hodge.
Online memorials and condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com
Arrangements by Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments
Born: January 12, 1938 in Princeton, IL
Died: December 11, 2020 in Sebastian, FL
Princeton – Gerald Lee “Jerry” Hodge, 88, husband of the late Ellen Mary Brickley and partner to Joan Elaine Dickhaus, died April 17, 2021 at Indian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Florida after battling lung cancer.
He was born August 20, 1932 in Princeton, Illinois to Russell Hodge and Zara Hodge (Nagle). At age 19, Jerry enlisted with the United States Navy. He proudly served as a pipe fitter on the carrier The Ingersoll during the Korean War. While in service he received the National Defense Service Medal, The United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the China Service Medal. Jerry separated from the Navy in 1956 and moved to San Diego, California.
Jerry married Ellen Mary Brickley in August of 1959 and raised four children in the San Diego area. He attended San Diego State University and received a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential in 1961. In the summers he taught summer school, ran a household repair business, and some summers worked at the Hodge Welding Shop in Princeton, Illinois. Jerry later retired and, relocated first to Vero Beach, Florida, then to Sebastian, Florida.
He is survived by his partner Joan Elaine Dickhaus in Sebastian, Florida; his children: Joseph Russell Hodge in Princeton, Illinois; Patrick Sean Hodge in San Diego, California; Cathleen Mary Hodge in Walnut Creek, California and Doreen Hodge in Palm Coast, Florida; three grandchildren: Stefanie, Christopher, and Sean; two sisters: Mary Lou Dunning of San Diego, California and Kathy May of San Diego, California; and two brothers: Tom Hodge of Princeton, Illinois and Randy Hodge of Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jerry had the gift of the gab and was a gifted story teller. He was a devoted father, friend, and grandfather. While in San Diego, he spent time as a lifeguard, loved to scuba dive, surf, free dive, and camp. He spent many weekends at the beach and camping with his family. He was an avid kayaker, cyclist, photographer, amateur astronomer, and orchid lover, and loved traveling in his RV. Later in life he was fortunate to meet another partner in life, Elaine, and he and Elaine spent many years exploring Florida with their kayaks, cycling, and star gazing at Kissimmee Prairie and other spots. He also belonged to an astronomy club and guarded turtle nests on the beach in Florida during mating season.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery in Princeton, IL., Officiated by Pastor Marsha Peddicord.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice in memory of Gerald Lee Hodge.
Online memorials and condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com
Arrangements by Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments
Published by News Tribune on May 18, 2022.
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