Maysville City Commissioner Jerry Schumacher, 59, died Monday following an illness of several months, an illness that didn’t stop him from serving his community to the end.

In fact, on Thursday Schumacher was in his seat at city commission and was a vocal advocate for the East End as residents expressed concerns over drug issues in that area of the city.

“He was so dedicated to our city,” said City Manager Matt Wallingford, a cousin. ” He would come down to my office at least once a week and we would talk about issues, projects, and life in general.”

”He absolutely loved the City of Maysville and enjoyed giving back to the community whether as a city commissioner or through the Knights of Columbus,” said younger brother Mark Schumacher.

Jerry Schumacher served on city commission in the 1980s and 1990s before taking a break for a few years. He was last elected in 2016 with his latest term beginning in January 2017. He had filed for reelection this fall.

Mason County Clerk Stephanie Schumacher, his sister-in-law, said since ballots have already been printed his name will appear but votes for him will not be tallied. With only three other candidates appearing on the ballot — incumbents Victor McKay and Kelly Ashley and newcomer Jeff Brammer — there will be the opportunity for a write-in candidate to win the seat. Candidates interested in write-in status have until Oct. 26 to file with the county clerk.

The longtime commissioner was also a vice president of Security Bank and Trust.

“He was very dedicated, not only to the bank for 26 years-plus years, but also to the community,” said John Chamberlain, president and CEO of the bank, who called his work ethic commendable.

“He was always willing to help if I asked him to work on something,” Chamberlain said. “He did a great job for the bank.”

Jerry Schumacher also had quite a reputation for telling a good joke, friends and family said. Wallingford recalled how a typical visit to his office by the commissioner would go.

“By the time he left my office, I would be bent over laughing with tears almost coming out of my eyes,” Wallingford said, “He always had a funny joke or story to relay, and a lot of times it was family related.”

“I’ve never met anyone that could remember and tell jokes like he did,” Mark Schumacher said.

“Jerry was the fifth out of 10 “type A” personalities born to our parents and he was unquestionably the most comical, ” said another brother, District Judge Jeffrey Schumacher. “He could tell stories and jokes like no one else.”

Victor McKay not only served on city commission with Jerry Schumacher, the pair grew up together in Maysville and were lifelong friends.

“I am so glad he was back on city commission,” McKay said.

The two last spoke on Friday, McKay said, discussing the issues in the city’s East End with Jerry Schumacher making a commitment to the area.

“I was just heart-broken when I got the news yesterday (Monday),” McKay said. “It’s sad for the family and sad for the community.”

McKay said it is time for everyone to step up and follow through on the late commissioner’s commitment to the East End. McKay said he plans to and to dedicate the work to his friend.

Despite his illness, Jerry Schumacher put together a group of family and friends earlier this summer for a sausage-making session to supply bratwurst made with his family recipe for Oktoberfest in Maysville. Proceeds from the sale of the sausages were donated to the Maysville Rotary Club to help fund repairs to the clubhouse damaged by flooding.

It is that kind of dedication to his home town that will remain as his brother’s greatest legacy, Jeffrey Schumacher said.

“Whether you agreed with his ideas or note, there was never any question that his goal was purely for the good of the community,” he said. “Maysville has lost a great advocate.”

“Maysville has lost a true public servant,” Wallingford added.

Jerry Schumacher leaves his wife, Kathy Schumacher and his sisters and brothers.

Services are Saturday at St. Patrick Church in Maysville.

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Mary Ann Kearns

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