Jerry W. “Shadow” Nortum, 76, Wilcox

Jerry W. “Shadow” Nortum, 76, of Queen Creek, AZ, and formerly of Wilcox, passed away Thursday September 24, 2026, at Hospice of the Valley, Gilbert, AZ of heart failure suffered over the past 6 months. He was born January 28, 1950, in Ridgway, a son to the late Lawrence F. “Pid” and L. Margaret Leahy Nortum. On January 29, 2020, he married his longtime companion Patricia “Pat” Irwin and she survives.

A resident of Arizona for the past 15 years, Shadow had lived most of his life in Wilcox and Johnsonburg. He was a 1967 of Johnsonburg Area High School.

Truly one of a kind, Shadow had the unique ability to talk to anyone and make friends wherever he went. An avid reader, he read the entire library of Louis L’Amour, loved the books of James Patterson and kept notebooks full of the books he read so he wouldn’t re-read them. Shadow enjoyed softball, bowling, traveling, and before moving to Arizona, riding his motorcycle. He had a soft spot for animals, especially his beloved dogs, but also horses and birds. He was a passionate fan of his sports teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and USC Trojans. Above all, the most important thing to Shadow was being the best father and grandfather he possibly could be.

A Vietnam Era Army Vet, Shadow served overseas as a Specialist 4th Class with CO D 129th Infantry 197th Infantry Brigade.

Shadow had been working at Enterprise Rent A Car for the past 7 years. He had also worked at the Domtar, Johnsonburg Mill for over 40 years.

Shadow is survived by his wife Pat at home, children Stacy Ginther (Frank) of St. Marys, Daniel “Dan” Nortum of Wilcox, Jessica Reeves (Dustin) of Gilbert, AZ and James Irwin of Vietnam, grandchildren Larissa Ginther, Isabelle Wurm (Brad), Jade Ginther and fiancé Brandon Cherry, Sierra Ginther, Trevor Ginther, Lia Reeves and Abigail Reeves and great-grandchildren Aubree Ginther, Eli Holobaugh, Waylon Wurm and Greyson Cherry. He is also survived by a brother Al Nortum of Kane and nieces Janet, Danielle and Tracy.

In addition to his parents, Shadow is predeceased by his sisters Margaret “Midge” Nale and Marilyn Fritz and a nephew Patrick Fritz.

A Funeral Service for Jerry W. “Shadow” Nortum will be conducted at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services Chapel, 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg, on Friday October 2, 2026, at 1 PM with Rev. Kevin Shaffer, Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Johnsonburg, as celebrant. Interment will be private .

Military Honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox-Ridgway Servicemen’s Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home on Friday afternoon at 12:30 PM.