Louis Emanuel Jerman, Jr.

March 6, 1933 – February 12, 2025 

 Louis Emanuel Jerman, Jr. born on March 6, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Louis and Anna (Kwochka) Jerman, passed away peacefully at age 91. He was a resident of Chicago and the suburbs for 59 years, working in packaging machinery sales. Lou was raised in Orrville, Ohio and was a proud graduate of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, John Carroll University and Loyola University Chicago where he received his MBA. After college, he served in the U.S. Army as a radio specialist stationed in Germany. 

Lou was a standout athlete in baseball and track but his lifelong passion was for football. He said the most exciting decade of his life was the ten years he played football. He started with his local Orrville Moose Club football team and then as a running back for St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University under a football scholarship. Lou went on to coach youth football for more than 45 years as a founding coach of the St. Raphael football program in Naperville, IL. Lou was inducted into the U.S. Youth Football Coaching Hall of Fame in 2010 where he was recognized for his commitment to positive coaching and teaching football fundamentals. His coaching exploits were profiled in the memoir More than a Game written by his coaching partner Jim Brown. 

Besides football, Lou also loved fishing, travel and cars. He was the envy of his college buddies when he bought himself a new 1961 red Ford Galaxie 500 convertible with red and white interior. Lou maintained lifelong connections with many friends from all phases of his life who became brothers to him. Lou was a friend to so many good guys because he was one himself. 

Lou was preceded in death by his sisters Bernice and Patricia Bader Miranda. Lou is survived by his partner of 33 years Nancy Murphy; his children Cindy Koperski, Jaculin Milovich, Greg, Lou, Aimee Pope and Kate Mannor; his grandchildren Adam, Alicia, Joshua, Kaylee, Sydney, Annabelle, Ty, Elijah, Katya, Cameron and Andrew; his nieces Shirley, Giselle and K.C.; grandnephew Wesley, grandnieces Fiorella and Nathalie; numerous daughters in-law, sons in-law, nephews in-law, cousins and the whole Murphy clan. 

Lou’s steady and abiding presence will be missed by all who knew him. 

A private burial will take place at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Lou’s lifelong commitment to youth football by donating to Naperville Saints Football at napervillesaints.org.

Arrangements by Demeros Funeral and Cremation Services 847-302-7176