Jerome "Jerry" Kremers

Jerome "Jerry" Kremers died July 24, 2011 at St. Edward Mercy Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Jerry was a loyal family man and an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Arkansas Razorback fan. He was born February 24, 1925 in Prairie View, Ark. the eldest of four children of Lee and Anna Raible Kremers. He graduated from Subiaco Academny in 1942 and served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. Jerry married Mary Jo Sharum on December 31, 1946 in Ft. Smith where they raised their nine children. His early business career included working as a bookkeeper and in Human Resources for the American Can Company in Ft. Smith. In 1957 he and Mr. Leo Jansen co-founded Jansen Appliance which later became Mid-South Appliance Parts Co., Inc. Mr. Kremers was also in the commercial laundry business as the Speed Queen Laundry equipment distributor for the state of Arkansas and as the owner/operator of several Speed Queen Laundromats. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Lewis Kremers and by his grandchildren Jeremy Travis and Falisha McDonald. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary Jo Sharum Kremers and their devoted children, Don Kremers (Nancy), Mike Kremers (Peggy), Karen Tyler (Steve), Jo Anne McDonald (Steve) and Kerry Kremers all of Ft. Smith, Guy Kremers (Debbie) of Lavaca, Mary Cathey (Larry) of Little Rock, Charles Kremers (Heather) of Arkadelphia and Rosalie Leighton (Warren) of Lincoln, Neb. He is also survived by his sister Lorene Sharum of Ft. Smith and his brother Leonard Kremers, Sr. (Yvonne) of Little Rock as well as sister-in-laws Mildred Coleman of Ft. Smith and Marcella Sharum of Springdale. He leaves behind 24 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren who will greatly miss their pappaw and numerous nieces and nephews who loved him. Rosary services will be held at Fentress Mortuary at 1805 North "A" Street in Ft. Smith at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Boniface Catholic Church 1820 North "B" in Ft. Smith at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 with Father Jon McDougal as the celebrant. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery under the direction of Fentress Mortuary. Serving as Pallbearers will be Raymond Coleman, Kenneth Coleman, Gary Lee Sharum, Rick Sharum, Kevin Sharum, Cory Travis, and John Fuchs. Memorials may be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church 1820 North "B" Street Ft. Smith, Ark. 72901. To sign the online guest book please visit www.fentressmortuary.com.