Obituary of Gerald Francis Castonguay

Gerald F. "Jerry" Castonguay Newton Jerry died peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2017, at Park Centre Skilled Care Unit in Newton. A Funeral Mass for Jerry will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 9, 2017, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. The family invites you to join with them for a time of fellowship and coffee, 2:30 until 4:30, at Park Centre, following the committal services at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Memorials may be designated in Jerry's name to: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Park Centre Skilled Care Unit. Gerald Francis Castonguay, 94, was born February 2, 1923, in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of Palmer Joseph and Albertine Marie (LeBrec) Castonguay. Jerry attended Iowa State University in Ames, where he studied engineering. He served during World War II with the US Army, 209th AAA Weapons Battalion, and received the Bronze Star for acts of bravery in the Pacific. On June 21, 1947, Jerry and Dorothy J. Mack were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. They had five children: Jeryl, Jenifer, Joyce, Jeffrey and Joanna. Jerry loved going places and talking with people, which lead to a lifetime of career and civic accomplishments. After owning a gas station with his father-in-law, he joined the Northern Natural Gas Company, and was a District Manager in Newton prior to moving to Spencer and Council Bluffs. After retiring, he and Dorothy moved back to Newton. Jerry didn't let retirement get in the way of keeping busy and interacting with others. He was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed golf, working with stained glass, family genealogy, and playing bridge, cribbage and pool with friends. He volunteered with Kiwanis, Meals on Wheels, and the Senior Health Insurance Program, and he helped start the SHARE Program. Jerry is survived by four daughters: Jeryl (Jerry) Laffoon, Jenifer (John) Parsons, Joyce Castonguay and Joanna (Tom) Wagner; a son Jeffrey (Kim) Castonguay; eleven grandchildren: Amy (Jason) Liechti, Jacob Parsons, Emily Laffoon, Matt (Andrea) Haynes, Michele Haynes, Tenille, Nicole, and Amber Castonguay, Jack, Ben and Sophie Wagner; nine great grandchildren; and his many good neighbors and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 67 years, Dorothy; a sister Lois; a brother Palmer; and his grandson Bryan Laffoon.