Jerome H. Schroeder

JEROME H. SCHROEDER, of Shelby Township, MI passed away on January 19, 2018. He was 89. Jerome (“Jerry”) H. Schroeder, was born September 22, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan to Ottmar C.P. Schroeder and Kathleen M. Schroeder (Hurley). Jerry was the third generation of the distinguished Schroeder family who owned and operated businesses in the Detroit area since the late 1800’s, including the Valentine Schroeder Wholesale Confectioners. This family tradition continued when Jerry opened his photography business, known as “The National Portrait Studio” in the mid 1950’s on Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. Jerry’s skill and success as a photographer and businessman allowed him to continue and expand his Detroit business until his retirement in 1997. Jerry’s other passion was music. He was a trained violinist and bass violinist. In addition to the photography business, Jerry formed and directed his own orchestra which performed all around the Detroit area for over thirty years. He served as a vocalist, violinist, bass violinist as well as the director of his prestigious orchestra. Jerry was preceded in death by his loving parents, his sister, Marie C. Schroeder, his brother, Paul Schroeder and by the love of his life, his lifelong companion, Kathleen Smihula. Jerry is survived by his cousins, Paul Hurley of Toronto, Ontario, Corinne F. Reutter-Averbeck of Cincinnati, Ohio and his dear friends, Mark and Kay Davis and their children, Mark Jr., Ryan and Grant. Arrangements have been made for Jerry at the Wasik Funeral Home, located at 49150 Schoenherr Rd., Shelby Township, MI. Visitation for family will be on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM and visitation for friends will follow from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Jerry will lie in state at St. Therese Lisieux Catholic Church, 48115 Schoenherr Rd., from 9:30 am to 10:00 am on Saturday January 27, 2018 with the Funeral Mass following at 10:00 am. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery immediately following the mass where he will laid to rest next to Kathleen Smihula. Memorial contributions may be made to the Henry Ford Health System, 1 Ford Place, Detroit, MI 48202. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.wasikfuneralhome.com

Jerome H. Schroeder

September 22, 1928 - January 19, 2018