Jerome St. Columbia

Jerome St. Columbia led a life well lived. After a battle with cancer, Jerome entered his eternal home with the Lord on Dec. 17, 2014, while surrounded by family and attended by the staff of Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marsha Smith St. Columbia of Fayetteville, Ark. He was the proud father of three children, Michelle St. Columbia Hedberg of Rogers, Ark., Katrina St. Columbia of Bentonville, Ark., and was preceded in death by his only son, the late Jerome St. Columbia. Jerome was born in the town of Helena, Ark., on Nov. 4, 1940, to Sam St. Columbia, an Italian immigrant, and Mary Fazio St. Columbia. He was the youngest of three boys. His brothers include, Joe St. Columbia Sr. of Helena and the late Philip St. Columbia of Helena. As a young boy in Helena, Jerome served as an altar boy at St. Mary's Catholic Church, but that did not deter him from much boyhood mischief. He played on the high school basketball team and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. He served in the Army National Gaurd. He was a member of St. Mary's Knights of Columbus. After raising their family in their hometown of Helena, Jerome and Marsha followed their children to Northwest Arkansas where they have resided for the past 25 years. Jerome retired from St. Mary's Hospital in Rogers where he served for many years as a painter. Jerome was blessed with many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. His seven grandchildren include, Mary Michelle Raff of Mount Vernon, Texas, Gene Raff, Meredith Hedberg and Molly Hedberg, all of Rogers, Ark., Austin Naeger, Jake Naeger and Phillip Naeger of Bentonville, Ark.; nephews, Joe St. Columbia Jr. and Vance St. Columbia reside in Helena, and Kirk Williamson of Jonesboro; nieces include, Phillis St. Columbia Gore of Hot Springs, Ark., Marilyn St. Columbia Walleck of Maumelle, Karen Williamson Bradshaw of Rogers, Lisa Williamson Schafer of Marion, Jackie Smith Hayden of Waxahachie,Texas, and Cala Smith Davis of Ovilla, Texas; both sisters-in-law, Freda St. Columbia and Joyce St. Columbia, were very dear to him. Jerome took joy in staying busy and had many interests and hobbies. From an early age he enjoyed cooking. He loved to bowl, garden, golf, hunt and listen to music. Jerome was quite a handyman and spent many hours tinkering in his workshop. He could often be found passing the time with friends at the Elks Club. Jerome's favorite hobby of all was fishing. Although he was a great angler and enjoyed all types of fishing, many would agree he was best known as a fisherman of friends. He was outgoing, cheerful, always had a smile and a joke to tell. He never met a stranger. Jerome was a devoted and loving husband, a dedicated father, a fun-loving grandfather. He was a kind neighbor and a cherished friend. He will be forever in our hearts. The family invites Jerome's friends to join us for a visitation Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, 4520 N. Crossover Road, in Fayetteville, Ark. A hometown visitation will take place at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at noon. A rosary will commence at 1 p.m. followed by a procession to St. Mary's Cemetery for the graveside service and interment. In lieu of flowers, the family would be pleased for donations to be made to Circle of Life Hospice of Northwest Arkansas.