Gerald T. 'Jerry' Bidgood

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Gerald T. "Jerry" Bidgood, 93, of Ironwood, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, March 3, 2016, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born March 20, 1922, in Mellen, Wis., son of the late Frank and Kate (Hofstra) Bidgood, and graduated from Mellen High School in 1940. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Nov. 2, 1942, and proudly served his country as a rifleman in North Africa during World War II, receiving a Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Tunisia on May 9, 1943. Following his honorable discharge on Dec. 1, 1943, he attended telegraph school in Superior, Wis., and went immediately to work for the Soo Line Railroad, retiring as depot agent and telegrapher in 1981.

Jerry was united in marriage to Marguerite "Marge" Warren, of Highbridge, Wis. on Aug. 28, 1943, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mellen. They lived in Mellen and Ashland, Wis., before moving to Ironwood in 1954. Marge preceded Jerry in death on Aug. 21, 2012.

Jerry was a longtime active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood, life member of Mellen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2273, and member of the Transportation, Communication and International Union, District 1233. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time at his cabin on the Bad River in Mellen and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan.

Surviving are a son, Thomas (Janice), Arvada, Colo .; daughter, Linda (Gregory) Pisani, Ironwood; three grandchildren, Jessica (Daniel) Brauer, Golden, Colo., Tina (Andrew) Grzeskowiak, Hopkins, Minn., and Brian Pisani, Duluth, Minn .; great-grandson, Henry Thomas Brauer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, Jerry was predeceased by two brothers, Douglas "Joe" and Donald Bidgood.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A visitation will be held Saturday, May 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5104 E. Margaret St., in Ironwood.

Committal services will take place in Mellen Union Cemetery at 1 p.m., with Pastor Kurt Brandon officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded by the Mellen VFW Post 2273 Honor Guard.

Interment will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Gogebic Community College Foundation, E4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood, MI 49938.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood is assisting the family. Condolences can be given to Jerry's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.