Jerry passed away on July 9, 2011, at the University of Chicago's Mitchell Hospital. He was born in Hammond on January 13, 1935. He attended St. Joseph's Catholic School and Hammond High School and graduated from Purdue University in Lafayette. He retired in 1997 after working 32 years for Calumet Breweries and North Coast Distributing. He then worked part time at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club. Jerry belonged to St. Francis Catholic Church, Gary Lions Club and Sand Creek Country Club where he served as Captain in 1999. He enjoyed his family, playing golf and reading. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother.

He is survived by his loving family: Alice, wife of 53 years; sons, John (Tama) of Chesterton, Jim (Tracey) of La Porte, Jerry (Corinne) of North Carolina; and daughter, Mary Ann Best (Richard) of New Berlin, WI. His son Phil (Deidre) of Kailua, HI preceded him in death. He has 13 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Also surviving are his sister, Pat (Tom) Blake of Phoenix, AZ, and his brother, Tom of Topeka, KS.

In lieu of flowers, we have set up a memorial fund to support head and neck cancer research in Jerome Pickford's memory. Please make checks payable to The University of Chicago, Medical Center Development, Attention Callie Johnston, 1170 E. 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637. Donations may also be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Francis Xavier, 2447 Putnam St., Lake Station, IN 46405.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on July 25, 2011 at Nativity of Our Savior Parish, 2949 Willowcreek Rd., Portage, IN, with Rev. Andrew J. Corona officiating.