Jerome \ Noel

Jerome \"Jerry\" Noel, 62, of Barnardsville, North Carolina, passed away on February 14, 2013, after a long, brave battle with pancreatic cancer. The funeral service will be held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Monday, February 18th, at 1:00 in the afternoon. Pastor Christopher Webb will be officiating. Visitation will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Burial will follow the funeral in Greenwood Cemetery, with a light reception to immediately follow at Lighthouse Baptist Church, both in Barnardsville. Funeral arrangements are being handled by West Family Funeral Home. Jerry was born in New Oxford, Pennsylvania on November 27, 1950. He graduated from Delone Catholic High School in 1969 and continued on to Gannon University in Erie, PA, and the United States Naval Academy, where he excelled in areas of electric technology. He received an Honorable Medical discharge from the Navy in 1972 and spent the next few years hiking the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, hitch hiking cross country, attending Woodstock 69', and traveling, making friends wherever he journeyed. Jerome was married to Donna Wolfgang on September 3rd, 1977; they were married under a walnut tree and happily committed to each other for over 36 years. Together they have three children, Jason, 35, Silas, 31, and Bryan, 27, and two grandchildren, Summer, 6, and Xayvria, 4. Jerome devoted his life to his family and will be remembered by all as an adoring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His keen story-telling skills, selfless commitment to family and friends, and hearty laugh will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Jerry was also actively involved in many local organizations. He was an active member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Asheville, NC, for over thirty years, contributing to the general upkeep and electric maintenance of the church with the Men's Group. He was a Cub Scout Leader for Troop 35 from 1985 to 1994 and a Boy Scout Leader from 94' to 99'. During this time he lead weekly pack meetings, organized the Fourth of July Parade proceedings, and arranged for countless camping trips and service projects for the group, teaching the boys survival skills, leadership, and teamwork. Jerry was also a valued member of the Barnardsville Community Center for over ten years; he contributed to many events, such as the annual Ramp Festival, summer concessions, and the making of the Walking Trail, which is used by many still today. Jerome is survived by his wife, Donna, his sons, Jason, Silas, and Bryan and his wife Kimberly, as well as two grandchildren, Summer, 6, and Xayvria, 4. Also, his father, Bill and his wife Alda May, his brother, William Noel, and sisters: Beverly Snyder, Debbrah Piper, Sandra Angel, Carolyn Myers, Donna Laughman, and Stephanie Sentz, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Madeline Florence, brother, Stephen Eugene, and parents-in-law, Walter and Betty Wolfgang. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church "Crisis Fund—Noel Family"; PO Box 8608, Asheville, NC 28814. The family of Jerome wishes to thank the many nurses and doctors of the VA Medical Center, Care Partners, and Stacie's Homecare for their love and care of Jerome. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Noel's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.