Gerald Lee ("Jerry") Braden Sr.

Gerald L. “Jerry” Braden Sr., 62, of Norwalk, Ohio passed away peacefully in his wife’s arms, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at his home. He was born on April 21, 1959, in Norwalk to the late Roy and Eleanore (Smith) Braden.  Jerry graduated from Norwalk St. Paul High School in 1977 and attended the University of Toledo.

Jerry was a family man, loving husband, devoted father, and “grampy” who would do anything for his family. He loved his grandchildren immensely and enjoyed spontaneous travel, riding around, antiques, arrowhead hunting, gold mining, metal detecting, following his kid’s sports and taking the grandchildren for ice cream.

Jerry was a dedicated worker, spending over 35 years of his life working for Lake Erie Construction.  His quick wit kept his family on their toes.  He instilled in them the value of hard work and the importance of having faith in their lives.  He was also a fighter. Jerry rode the roller coaster of life, living and fighting cancer for over 28 years, trying any treatment that might afford him an opportunity for more time with his family.    

Survivors include his loving wife of 40 years, Sharon (Cannon) Braden; children, Holly (Mike) Lawrence of Lewis Center, OH, Kelly (Brent) Sommers of Norwalk, OH and Jerry (Abby) Braden (Jr.) of Norwalk, OH; grandchildren, Zoey, Isaac and Alison Lawrence, Ava, Clayton and Eleanore Sommers and “grand dog”, Ari; siblings, Pat (Mike) Ritz, Gary (Tammy) Braden and Marianne Luna; brother and sister in-laws, Pat (Jim) Rockwell, Cliff (Ann) Cannon, Duane (Barb) Cannon and Ruth (Steve) Euton.  Jerry was also adored and will be missed by his many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his father in-law, Laurel Cannon and mother in-law, Ruth Cannon, brother in-law, Tom “Turk” Cannon, and several other close family members over the years.   

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held the following day, Saturday, June 19, 2021, beginning at 11 a.m. at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, Norwalk.  The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Stein Hospice, especially nurses Keisha and Carrie who provided Jerry with loving care.  Online memories and expressions of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com 

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