Jerome R. "Jerry" Bahlmann

Jerome R. “Jerry” Bahlmann, age 83, passed away June 11, 2025, surrounded by his family after a ten-year battle with Alzheimer’s. He will be dearly missed by his wife Rita, son Mark Bahlmann (Jill), daughter Ellen Noonan (Tim), and five grandchildren, Benjamin, Bryce, Emily, Charlotte, and Claire. Preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Catherine (Deimling) Bahlmann, and  sisters, Sister Mary Karen Bahlmann and Judie Eten.

Jerry grew up in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, attending Villa Madonna College, where he met his wife, Rita. He later attended Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University. Jerry worked at the National Underwriter Company while attending law school. Jerry and his family moved to Columbus in 1967 and spent the next seven years at the Ohio State Legal Services. Jerry became the first director of the Ohio Ethics Commission. In 1976, Jerry began his 27 years at Battelle Memorial Institute, retiring as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary in 2006. During his retirement, he spent several years Of Counsel at the Columbus law firm Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur.

Throughout his career in law, Jerry served on multiple boards, believing in giving back. Education was his passion. He spent 16 years on the Board of Trustees of Capital University, eight years on the Board of Trustees of Thomas More University, and started Battelle for Kids. His other community involvement included Chairman of the United Way of Central Ohio, the Columbus Council of World Affairs, and St. Stephen’s Community Center.

Jerry loved spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, attending soccer matches, tennis matches, dance recitals, and swim meets. He enjoyed golfing with his son Mark and  friends, skiing with his family, and 27 years of family beach vacations. When Jerry retired, he worked on his bucket list, which included a cross-country road trip on his Harley-Davidson.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, especially OJ and Janet, and the Hospice of Central Ohio team.

Calling hours will be Monday, June 16, 2025, from 4-7 at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 403 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection, 6300 East Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054.

Memorial gifts may be sent to The Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio (www.alz.org/centralohio) or the Church of the Resurrection (www.cotrna.org).

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