Gerald G. "Gerry" Gumz's Obituary
Gerald G."Gerry" Gumz, 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends, after a prolonged and courageous battle with multiple cancers. Gerry was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on September 23, 1943, the son of Harold and Lorraine (Schwartz) Gumz. As one of six children, he and his brothers and their sister often shared countless stories about their "adventures" while growing up in Oshkosh. Gerry attended Oshkosh area schools' graduating from Oshkosh High School in 1963. After graduation he worked at Mercy Hospital before joining the United States Navy which was the beginning of his distinguished military career. Upon being honorably discharged, he returned to Oshkosh in 1968 and married Marie Bloechl. Together they raised their two daughters, Carole and Theresa. A lifelong "Oshkoshian", Gerry held various jobs in the area. He was part of the original Oshkosh McDonald's restaurant crew. Later on, he was employed by Mercy Hospital, Rockwell International, Winnebago Mental Health Institute and the City of Oshkosh in the transportation, sanitation, street, and parks departments until his retirement. As a proud Vietnam War Veteran, Gerry served in the United States Navy and the Wisconsin Army National Guard Red Arrow Division, retiring as a Master Sergeant (MSG) with more than 25 years of service.
Gerry is survived by and his memory will be cherished by his wife Marie; daughters, Carole Sindlinger and Theresa Wilson; siblings, Harold (Julie) Gumz, Carl (Ann Kennedy) Gumz and Laurel Reichenberger; brothers-in-law, Paul (Mei) Bloechl, and Philip (Peggy) Bloechl; sister-in-law Christine Grafstrom; and mother-in-law, Margaret Bloechl. He is further survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends, including all the guys in " Group" at the Appleton Veterans Center. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ted (Jane) Gumz and John Gumz; his father-in-law, Myles Bloechl and his special car ride buddy, Gus.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to ThedaCare Cancer Center and the entire ThedaCare family, Froedtert Medical Center Surgical Oncology and Aurora Radiation Oncology for the kind and compassionate care that Gerry received.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Gerry at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026 in Most Blessed Sacrament Parish-St. Mary's Site, 605 Monroe Street, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial with full military honors will take place at Lakeview Memorial Park Cemetery in Oshkosh, immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers we kindly ask that you make a donation in memory of Gerry to Project K-9 Hero, Semper K9 or the charity of your choice.
"Gerry, we know that you needed to go on ahead and can imagine you at the shack "Up North", sitting on the porch and feeding the deer while you wait for our arrival. We love you and miss you so "very, very much."
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