Marshall accountant's life was guided by Christian faith
Jerry Guckert's devotion to the tenets of his Christian faith carried over into his career.
"Jerry was known for his expertise and honesty as a certified public accountant," said his wife, Ann Guckert. "Jerry did a lot of work for older clients, men and women who were the most vulnerable when it came to complicated tax matters.
"And for a lot of people, who needed his professional help, but couldn't afford it, he did a lot of pro bono work," his wife added.
Edward G. "Jerry" Guckert of Marshall, died on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in UPMC Passavant hospital, McCandless. He was 75.
"Once you met my husband, you could understand why he was admired -- he was soft spoken, honest and a man you felt you could trust.
"It happened to my mother," Mrs. Guckert added. "I was living in Williamsburg, Va., when I first met Jerry. He was an Army officer stationed in Ft. Eustis (in Virginia).
"My mother, who was a devout Christian, was very strict about whom I dated, especially when it came to a soldier away from home. As soon as she met and talked to Jerry, I knew I had her approval. We were married in 1957," she added.
Born and raised in West View, Mr. Guckert was an only child in the family of printer Edward J. Guckert and his wife, Thelma Campbell Guckert. His father and his uncle, Harry Guckert, operated the Harry Guckert Printing Co. in the North Side.
Mr. Guckert graduated in 1951 from West View High School and in 1955 received his undergraduate degree in accounting from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington County.
As a member of the college Reserve Officers Training Corps, Mr. Guckert spent eight years as a reserve officer, including one year of active duty in Ft. Eustis.
After their marriage, the Guckerts made their home in Marshall, where one of the first things they did was to join a Presbyterian congregation. In 1971, they helped to establish the Cranberry Baptist Church. Through the years, Mr. Guckert served as deacon and church treasurer.
"Jerry was so devoted to his church that the first thing that he had me do when I brought him home from the hospital was to take him to church," his wife added.
Mr. Guckert was employed by local accounting firms, until he received his designation as a certified public accountant upon completing the required law classes at Robert Morris University.
"Jerry established a private office in our home, which gave me the opportunity to help him by answering the phone and doing some secretarial work," Mrs. Guckert added.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Guckert is survived by a daughter, Colleen M. Guckert of Marshall; a son, Robert E. Guckert of Ross; three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Visitation is from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home Inc., 1032 Perry Highway, Ross, where a funeral service will be held in the chapel at 11 a.m. Monday.
Interment will be in Allegheny Memorial Park, McCandless.
