Gerald R. "Jerry" Koetting, loving husband, father, and grandfather and longtime Ford Dealer in North St. Louis County and Granite City, IL, passed away on June 15th, 2018, from liver cancer.

Jerry was 78 and resided between 2 homes in Clayton, MO and Naples, FL. A native St. Louisan, Jerry graduated from CBC, attended St. Louis University, and later graduated from the St. Louis Police Academy. In l961, while serving on the St. Louis Police Force, Jerry was recalled to active military duty during the Berlin Crisis and served as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, WA. It was during this time that Jerry married Judith Kay (Costello); they shared a wonderful life together for 56 years until his death.

Upon being discharged from the Army, Jerry joined his father-in-law, Thomas E. Costello, at his North County Ford dealership and began a career in the automobile business that lasted over 50 years, culminating in the formation of Koetting Ford, Inc. in Granite City, IL, in 1984. Martin R. McCabe, Jr., Jerry's son-in-law, would later become a partner at the dealership. Throughout the years Jerry and the dealership received numerous sales and service awards from Ford Motor Company. Jerry served two 2-year terms on Ford's National Dealer Council and was President of the Metropolitan St. Louis Ford Dealers Association for 10 terms. Jerry loved playing golf and was a member of Norwood Hills Country Club for over 55 years. He was also a member of Vanderbilt Country Club in Naples.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Ed Koetting and twin brother John "Jack" Koetting (Mary Ann) formerly of Chesterfield Missouri. In addition to his wife, among the survivors are three children: Deborah A. McCabe (Martin) of Kirkwood, Ann Marie Koetting of Springfield, MO, and Dr. Mark G. Koetting of Springfield; eight grandchildren: Martin McCabe III (Ross), Ryan McCabe (Erica), Kelly McCabe, Katie Loethen (Kaleb), Emily Loethen, Megan Loethen, Claire Loethen, and Jackson Koetting; two great-grandchildren: Blakely and Owen; and a brother, Richard D. Koetting (MaryJane) of Creve Coeur.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The BackStoppers, PO Box 795168, St. Louis, MO 63179-0700; Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Ln., Naples, FL 34105; or St. Ann Catholic Church, 7530 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121.

A Memorial mass will be held at 10:30am Saturday, June 23, 2018  St. Ann's Catholic Church in Normandy, MO, with a celebration of life to follow.