Obituary of Jerome D. Affeldt

Jerome David Affeldt, or “Joe” as he was fondly called by old friends and family in earlier days, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2009, at Hospice House in University Place. He was fully engaged in activities and commitments until the final week of his life, and then succumbed to the ravages of lung cancer that had unknowingly metastasized to his brain. Jerome was born to Richard and Hazel Affeldt in Ada, MN. He was raised on a farm in Plainview, MN with his older brother, Don. He joined the Air Force and married his first wife, Louise Alhona. Their family expanded quickly as they became parents to six children in seven years as the Air Force moved Jerome and his family to Lakenheath AFB in Suffolk, England; Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA and Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV. Jerome also served in France and later in Germany. After 22 years of serving his country, Jerome retired and relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where he met and married Rita Ann Miller. They made their home in South Hill/Puyallup where he kept a meticulously well-maintained yard – a long-standing source of pride and joy. Jerome exemplified the military work ethic and commitment, rising early and putting in a full day of work, even on his days off. Jerome worked at Ajax Airport Parking, and then as a school bus driver for the Puyallup School District, from where he later retired. Jerome and Rita spent the past nine years in a small Parkland community, Amberly Farms. Jerome is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Rita Miller Affeldt; his three daughters: Sharon L. Cottrell, Toni K. (Jeff) Harvey, and Janet L. Affeldt, all from Las Vegas; his two sons: Mark A. Affeldt from Las Vegas and Guy S. (Julie) Affeldt of Buford, GA; three stepchildren: Lorri (Kevin) Smyth and Paul Miller of Puyallup and Anthony Miller of Tacoma, as well as 19 grandchildren: Richard, Tammy, and Gary Barnett; Shannon McFarland; Steven and Shawn Ford; James and Dean Blockey; Daniel, Haley and Hannah Affeldt; Patrick (Michelle) and Casey Smyth; Alex, Beth Anne, and Katie Valliere; and Doug, Shawn, and Charles Miller. Jerome also is survived by thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Donna Maria Barnett, his stepdaughter, Julia Miller Valliere, his parents and his brother. His family appreciates and will forever miss his dry wit, his quiet laugh, his love of sports, and the commitment and loyalty he made to family, community and country. A celebration of Jerome’s life will take place on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 412 W. Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371. As an alternative to flowers, the family asks that remembrances be sent to the church in his name.