Jerry L.

Tope

Jerry L. Tope, age 73, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN.

Jerry was born on December 8, 1948 in Paulding, OH to the late Wilbur "Bill" and Mary Elizabeth (Haines) Tope. On March 23, 1979 he married Joan Pratt, who survives. Jerry graduated from Paulding High School in 1966 and went on to graduate from Penn State in 1968. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Jerry worked at American Electric Power for 35 years before retiring in 2009. In his spare time, Jerry loved golfing, camping, playing horseshoes, fishing, hunting, horseracing, and Cleveland Indians baseball. He loved to watch football, especially the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Cleveland Browns. Jerry's favorite thing in the world were his grandkids, who he loved so much.

Jerry is also survived by his sons: Justin Tope, Waterville, OH; Brian Tope, Paulding, OH; Tim (Karen) Bowers, Defiance, OH; grandchildren: Brooke Bowers, Robbie Bowers, Megan Tope, Logan Tope, Remi Tope; great grandchildren: Brynn Bowers, Maisie Wood; sister, Cathy (Carl) Guyton; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Den Herder Funeral Home. Burial will be in Blue Creek Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Paulding V.F.W. Post 587.

Visitation will be 2:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Den Herder Funeral Home. There will also be visitation from 10:00 A.M. until time of services on Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Paulding V.F.W. Post 587, 214 N Water St., Paulding, OH 45879.