Jerry Alton Blaha

Jerry Alton Blaha, 78, of Petersburg, passed away on October 15, 2013. He was the son of the late Frank J. and Mary Mentlik Blaha; and was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary B. Woodard and Joan B. Skelton; and a brother, Francis J. Blaha, Sr. Jerry began his 38 year career with the Virginia Department of Transportation in 1953 as a Survey Party Rodman and retired in 1991 as the District Right of Way Manager. He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where for 17 years he coordinated the St. Joseph’s outreach for the Men’s Homeless Shelter in Petersburg. Jerry was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 694 in Petersburg, and served in the Virginia Army National Guard for 38 years where he achieved the rank of 1st Sergeant. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cecilia Vinsh Blaha; four sons, Jeffrey L. Blaha, Gregory L. Blaha and wife, Toni, Daniel T. Blaha and wife, Stacey, and Brian P. Blaha; two daughters, Melissa G. Blaha and partner, Kellie Slack, and Amy B. Stoehr and husband, Nathan; eleven grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Riley, Skylar, Alison, Abigail, Patrick, Justis, Samantha, Chase, and Lucas; three sisters, Agnes B. Jones, Barbara B. Daugherty and Teresa B. Smallwood; best friends, Edward “Buck” and Betsy Michalek; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and devoted friends. A Rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with visitation to follow until 8:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Brian Capuano and Msgr. Michael Schmied, as celebrants. Interment will follow in St. John’s Catholic Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Outreach Program, P.O. Box 2006, Petersburg, VA 23804.