Gerald B. Masserant

Gerald B. Masserant

May 20, 1930 – January 5, 2021

Gerald Benjamin Masserant, age 90, passed away Tuesday, January 5th, in his home.  He was born May 20, 1930 in Newport to Blase and Hilda (Wess) Masserant. Gerald married Ruth Flory, the love of his life, on November 7th, 1953 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monroe.  

Gerald graduated from Monroe High School while working at Kahlbaum Brothers in Newport as a teen.  He managed the Newport location for many years before purchasing the business in 1982 with his sons, David, Ken, and Rollin, renaming it Masserant’s Feed & Grain.  Later, sons-in-law Peter Burkardt and Kerry Burkey joined in ownership.  The Newport Mill provided a meeting place for farmers to gather to complain about the weather and solve world’s problems over coffee & peanuts, and on special occasions, mom’s homemade potato donuts. Gerald worked tirelessly and poured his heart and soul into the family business. He made sure each of his customers were greeted with a smile and a warm welcome.

Gerald was a life-long member of St. Charles Catholic Church where he received all of his sacraments, played football for the CYO into adulthood, and served as an usher and eucharistic minister.  A highlight of his life was being in a private audience of Pope John Paul II in 1993.  After retirement, Gerald became a daily mass attendee and helped to lead the rosary before mass. Catholic schools were a top priority for Gerald and Ruth, making the sacrifice to ensure that all of their children received 12 years of Catholic education.  

Gerald spent his free time in his vegetable garden where a weed was rarely found. Surplus garden vegetables were sold each summer by his children at a roadside garden stand in front of the house.  His prized crop was Job’s Tear beads that Ruth would use to make thousands of rosaries over the years.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth, his children Kathleen (Robert) Jones, Kenneth Masserant, Rollin (Brenda) Masserant, Laura (Peter) Burkardt, Mary Masserant, Cheryl (Kerry) Burkey, Barbara (Thomas) Boggs, Michelle (Gene) Gennoe, Lynn (David) Hintz, and daughter-in-law Catherine Masserant.  He is also survived by two brothers, Bernard Masserant and Victor (Sandra) Masserant, and a brother-in-law, Michael DiFiore.  He is also survived by 67 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren, with 8 more on the way.    

Gerald is preceded in death by his sons, David C. Masserant and Edward Blase Masserant, granddaughters Anne-Marie Jones and Mary Jones, great grandson Oswald Burkardt, a sister Dolores DiFiore, and sisters-in-law Anna Masserant and Carolyn Masserant.

Family and friends may visit 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 8th, at Rupp Funeral Home where the rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.  Gerald will lie in state at 9:30 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Newport.  Due to COVID restrictions, a private Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery. 

Please, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Charles Parish or St. Charles School. 

Online condolences or words of comfort may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com.