Gerald W. “Jerry” Newman, 94 of Valparaiso, formerly of Rising Sun, MD, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024.  He was born August 26, 1929 in Lincoln, MN, to the late Harland L. Newman and Thelma G. (Wright) Newman-Jones.  On October 28, 1950 in Arlington, VA, he married Madeline Joy Sealock of Front Royal, VA.
Gerald resided in Valparaiso since 2007, living in Rising Sun, MD for 42 years. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1947 and retired in August 1966 as a Master Chief Data Processing Technician, after serving almost 20 years where he worked as a Computer Programmer and Systems Analyst on large main-frame computers in the late 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s.
Gerald and Madeline enjoyed traveling in the motor home visiting family and friends, National Parks, and browsing in antique stores.  They also enjoyed modern square dancing and attending National Square Dance Conventions with their friends in their motor home to conventions around the U.S. and Canada.
Gerald enjoyed working on his family genealogy, tracing his 4^th great-grandfather to Daniel Garnett, Jr., who fought in the American Revolutionary War, and his 8^th great-grandfather to Edward Doty, who came to America aboard the Mayflower.
In Valparaiso, Gerald belonged to the First United Methodist Church, Lions Club, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Eward Doty Society, and Sons of the American Revolution.
He enjoyed the outdoors, including working with animals and birds in their struggle with survival in a hustle environment.  In Maryland, Gerald worked with Bluebirds, giving bluebird programs to groups of all ages.  He built over a thousand Bluebird nest boxes over a 30-year period.  In Valparaiso, he volunteered at Taltree Arboretum working with Bluebirds and became interested in the plight of the Monarch Butterfly.  He worked for the Monarch’s restoration by planting milkweed seeds and plants around town and surrounding areas.  In November of 2015 Gerald moved into Pines Village Retirement Community where he was able to continue his work with Monarch Butterflies, tending his flower garden and raising Monarch caterpillars in his apartment.
Gerald is survived by his children, Wanda (Steve) Reuter, Valparaiso and Ron (John) Newman, Norfolk, VA; grandchildren, Josh Reuter, Palos Heights, IL, Amy (Chase) Sorrick, Valparaiso; and Rebecca (Jason) Schroeder, Valparaiso; great-grandchildren, Riley, Rowland, and Madeline Sorrick and Alexander and Ilse Reuter; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife Madeline in 2001; father in 1984, mother in 1992; step-father, Shelby Jones in 1985; granddaughter, Samantha Reuter in 1993; and brothers, Harland Newman and Allen, Glenn, and Kenneth Jones.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 111 S. Queen Street, Rising Sun, MD 21911 with a Funeral Service beginning at 1:00 PM.  Burial will follow next to his wife, in Brookview Cemetery in Rising Sun, MD.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Valparaiso First United Methodist Church or the Valparaiso Lions Club.