DELPHOS — Gerald Louis (Jerry) Backus was called home July 2, 2025, surrounded by his family to be united with our Lord and to join his wife, Dottie. He fought a courageous battle with multiple cancers.
He was born July 1, 1935 in Delphos to Harry G. and Leona (Ricker) Backus, who preceded him in death. On April 7, 1956 he married Dorothy Art, who died Sept. 6, 2021.
Survivors include two sons, Kevin (Jane) Backus and David (Sue) Backus, both of Delphos; two daughters, Cheryl (Greg) Nungester of Lima and Diana (Mark) Wurst of Delphos; nine grandchildren, Kristi (Adam) Neill, Stephanie (Braden) Kriegel, Patrick Nungester, Kiley (Don ) Rerko, Brian (Megan) Backus, Jenna (Ryan) Musser, Justin (Allison) Backus, Alaina (Jason) Jacobs, Jared (Cassidy) Wurst; and 13 great-grandchildren, Tyler and Kennedy Neill, Avery, Adelynn and Amelia Kreigel, Grady & Joelle Rerko, Branson Backus, Ensley & Myles Musser, Reese & Cameron Backus, and future Baby Wurst; a sister Janet Donahue of Maumee, In-Laws; Kenneth Williams, Jerry Amato, Bernie (Jocie) Art, Patricia Hoyng, Cathy (Chuck) Gorsuch, Georgie (Bill) Nungester and Ken Art; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister Louise Williams; brothers Dennis Backus who died at birth and Stanley (Jan) Backus; and in-aws, Jim Donahue, Rosie Amato and Jim Hoyng.
Mr. Backus owned and was president of D.J. Backus, Inc., parent corporation of The Career Specialists, a company recruiting professional and technical candidates for manufacturing firms across the nation, and Career Consultants which provided outplacement programs and job search training for individuals at all levels who were affected by plant closings and layoffs. He retired in 2000.
He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and a 1953 graduate of Delphos St. John High School. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army having served as a radio operator. Backus was a member and past Grand Knight of the Delphos Knights of Columbus Council 1362 and was chosen Knight of the Year in 2001 and 2010. He was one of the founders of Inter-City Personnel Associates where he served as Ethics Committee Chair, Charter member of the International Association of Outplacement Professionals, he was a Certified Personnel Consultant, past president of N.W. Ohio Chapter Institute of Industrial Engineers, Past President of Lima Chapter of The American Society of Personnel Administration, member of American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers and the National Association of Personnel Consultants.
He was a Life Member of American Legion Post 268, Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3035, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 471, and Life Member of Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 54, past President of Delphos Jaycees, elected JCI Senator, elected to Delphos City Council, past chairman of Delphos Civil Service Commission and the recipient of numerous business and civic awards including the Jefferson Award in 2009. He was chosen as Delphos Man of the Year in 2014.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife, spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren, especially the time spent at the cottage at Rose Lake Michigan that they helped build in 1969. This legacy continues to this day. He was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes, and loved to spend countless hours in his work shop. Faith and family were two of the most important values in his life. Each member of his family held a special place in his heart and he loved each of them dearly.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12:00 Noon on Monday July 7th at St. John the Evangelist Church. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.
Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 6 at Weber Funeral Home, where a K of C Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Parish Wake Service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Right to Life, St. John Parish Foundation or the Sisters of Notre Dame.
