The late Jerry Freewalt, a cherished member of the parish family in Columbus, Ohio, passed away suddenly last week. Jerry was known for his dedication to making the world a better place through his work at the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. He was admired for his kindness and willingness to help others, leaving a significant impact on those around him.
In the wake of his untimely death, Jerry’s family is struggling with the overwhelming medical bills and funeral costs. His siblings, Rachel Reed and Jason Freewalt, have organized a GoFundMe campaign to help ease this financial burden on Jerry’s wife, Karen, and their three children, Kaylie, Alex, and Charlie.
Rachel Reed shared on the fundraising page, "It’s always hard when you lose someone. My brother Jason and I lost our brother, Jerry Freewalt. Our brother asked us to look over his wife and kids, and we plan to carry out his wishes. The family is dealing with so much, and the medical bills and funeral costs are overwhelming. If you are able to donate to his wife Karen and their children, Kaylie, Alex, and Charlie, to help ease the financial burden they are facing, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your love and support during this devastating time."
The fundraiser has raised $1,668 of the $10,000 goal so far, with donations from 19 contributors. The most recent donation of $100 was made by Tyler Teague, while Marcia Webb contributed the highest amount of $200. Gwen Sackinger made the first donation of $50.
The Catholic Conversations Facebook page also paid tribute to Jerry, saying, "A member of our parish family, Jerry Freewalt, suddenly passed away last week. Jerry dedicated his life to making the world a better place through his job at the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Plus, he was such a nice guy—always a kind word and always willing to pitch in to help! Please consider helping his family with medical expenses."
The outpouring of support from the community reflects the deep respect and love people had for Jerry Freewalt. His legacy of kindness and service will continue to inspire those who knew him, even as his family navigates this challenging time.
Note:This post was written and edited by Mateo Smith, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.