Gerald E. Chelius
07/14/1919 - 12/25/2011


Lt. Colonel Gerald E. Chelius “Jerry,” 92, of Florham Park, formerly of Essex Fells, NJ and Reading, PA passed away on Sunday, December 25, at home, surrounded by his family.

Jerry was born in Reading, PA in 1919, and after attending Albright College joined the Air Force in 1941. As Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force, Jerry was a P38 pilot during WWII. He flew 77 combat missions, earned two distinguished flying crosses and two air medals. He then served as a reserve officer at Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Nebraska.


In 1944, Jerry married Virginia (nee: Harris). He was a sales manager for Remington Rand for 25 years and then became the Executive Vice President of the International Systems Dealer Association (“ISDA”) in Caldwell for 15 years. Jerry was very involved with the Toastmasters International for 15 years, and was President of their Omaha chapter in 1953. He was also the Treasurer of the Girl Scouts of America in Omaha. Jerry and his family lived in many parts of the country, eventually settling in Essex Fells, NJ and then moving to Florham Park in 2003. He is survived by his loving wife Virginia, their 5 children Gerald, Jr., Craig, Sr., Jon, Jeffrey, and Elizabeth, as well as 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.


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