Jerome Anthony Klapps, age 92 of Bear, Delaware passed away on April 19, 2025. Jerome was born in Sugar Notch, PA on May 29, 1932. He was the last of eleven children of Louis and Catherine Klapps (Sardoni), who migrated to America from Italy. The last nine children served their country during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Catherine was a Gold Star Mother with several sons with Purple Hearts. Jerome was predeceased by his wife, Shirley Klapps (Crosier); sisters, Rachael Woody, Mildred Merva, Rose Kenderski and Mary Ribeiro; brothers, Joseph, Peter, Dominic, John, James, and Reverend William Klapps.

Jerome served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, surviving a horrific army train crash. He retired from General Motors, Boxwood Road Plant, after 35 years and was an active member of the Local 435 Retired Autos Workers Union. He loved family and sports, especially football and billiards, fishing, crabbing, horse racing, spending time at Delaware Park, playing cards, trips to Atlantic City with retirees, and was a fierce competitor. He loved to tell stories and had a special love for the grandchildren. Jerome was a St. John's-Holy Angels parishioner since 1959 and married to his wife, Shirley, for 59 years until her passing in 2016. They had 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Jerome was predeceased by a daughter, Catherine Malmberg and a grandchild, David West. He is survived by his children, Patricia West (David), Sandra Mason, and Jerome Klapps; his granddaughters, Amanda, Ashley, Rachel, and Gabrielle; and his great grandchildren, Donald, Benjamin, Jacob, and Ella.

A visitation will be held on Monday April 28th from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11 A.M. at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 82 Possum Park Road Newark, DE 19711. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to St. John's-Holy Angels Catholic Church at the above address. Online condolences may be made to www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com