Absent from the body, present with the Lord! Gerald D. “Jerry” Weygandt, after a long battle with ALS, passed through the golden gates to heaven on September 23, 2012. Death is a heartache no one can heal; love is a memory no one can steal.

Born in Ghent, Ohio on April 14, 1940 to Laurel E. and Dorothy Weygandt, both deceased. He graduated from Highland High School, Medina, OH, with the Class of 1958. Joined the Army and served our country honorably.

After serving his country in the Army, Jerry became an electrician and worked for many electrical contractors in the Akron, OH area.

Jerry leaves his loving wife Peggy (Dravenstott) (Bowman) Weygandt of 36 years; his service dog Wendy; his four sons, Dean, (Cathy) Akron, OH, Kevin (Bonnie), Ormand Beach, FL, Greg, (Cathy), Bradenton, FL and Eric, Akron, OH; two step-sons Lee Bowman, (Maureen), Allen, TX and Dwight Bowman, (Connie) Westerville, OH; thirteen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; brother L. E. Weygandt, (Juanita) of Akron, OH; and a sister Donna Weygandt, also of OH.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2012, at 3:30 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen, TX. 75002, with Rev. June Franck, Rev. Todd Harris, Rev. Brian McPherson, and Rev. Maxie Moore officiating.

You can shed tears that he is gone

Or you can smile because he lived.

You can close your eyes and hope that he will come back

or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him

...Or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

You can remember him and only that he's gone

or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and lose your mind,

Be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what he'd want:

Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Allen or to the ALS Association of North Texas.

The family would like to thank the many friends and caregivers who enriched Jerry's life.