SPRINGFIELD – Gerald T. “Jerry” VanKeuren, 68, of the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, April 21, 2012. He was born in Springfield on November 28, 1943, a son of the late Charles B. and Evelyn M. (LaPorte) VanKeuren. He was raised in Chicopee, attended Chicopee High School and later moved to the Indian Orchard section of Springfield around 1994. He was last employed as a chemical operator at the Monsanto Chemical Company, which is now Solutia, in Indian Orchard. He previously worked at Savage Arms in Westfield and also delivered the Sunday Republican Newspaper for many years. He leaves: his children, Joanne Cote, Suzanne Fontaine, Thomas VanKeuren, Alicia McNulty, Andrea VanKeuren and Jason VanKeuren; his sister, Karen Thibeault and her partner, Robert Ross; several grandchildren, nephews and nieces. His family will receive friends on Monday, April 30, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family requests that memorial donations in his memory be made to the American Heart Association Founders Affiliate, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. For our online obituary and guest book, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com