Gerald “Jerry” Slivinski, 87, of Mercer, passed away at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield on April 8, 2019.      He was born to Kenneth and Marie (Tatroe) Slivinski on January 21, 1932 in Minocqua. He was baptized Methodist in Minocqua at the Church of the Pines He married Janet Steinberg on January 27, 1968 in Washburn, Wisconsin.      He graduated in 1949 from Mercer High School. He was in the Air Force and part of the presidential security detail for President Eisenhower. He attended Washington senator games with the president. He then helped his parents and later ran the Mercer Lumber Company. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Superior where he earned his teaching degree.       Gerald enjoyed watching sports, and his teams were the Packers, the Badgers, the Brewers and the Bucks.  He also enjoyed hunting deer and grouse. He was instrumental in getting the Mercer Museum built. He was a past member and president of the Lions Club and was also the commander for the American Legion in Mercer.       Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.       He is survived by his wife, Janet; sons, Kenneth Slivinski, Bryan Slivinski; sister, Carol Zimmerman; grandchildren, Jeremy Vnuk, Courtney Slivinski and Katie Slivinski and 4 great grandchildren.      Services will be held at the Mercer Methodist Church this Saturday, April 13 at 11:00 with Pastor Irv Teichmiller officiating.      McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, is assisting the family.  For more information or to express online condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.