Jerry Schaefer

Gerald “Jerry” J. Schaefer, 66, of Stevensville, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2007, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30 P.M., Monday, June 25, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 John Beers Road, Stevensville, with Rev. Gerald Schroer officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday afternoon, from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Kerley Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to either St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jerry was born on October 21, 1940 in Derby, MI. He was one of three children born to John & Amanda Schaefer. Jerry overcame Polio at an early age. He was a graduate of Lakeshore High School. In August 1976, he married Janet Zuppke Krieger. Jerry was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville. He was an avid sportsman particularly of University of Michigan teams. He was a longtime member of the Lucky 5 bowling team playing at Kelly’s and Lakeshore Lanes. From 1989 to 1995 he served as secretary of the Blossomland Men’s Bowling Association. He was also a longtime member of the American Bowling Association. Jerry was the owner of the Roller Hockey team of Baroda and Benton Harbor. He also played softball representing Bill’s Tap in Baroda and Grace Lutheran Church. As a cancer survivor, he was also active in the Man to Man competition with Relay for Life. Jerry is survived by his wife, Janet; his son, Brian Michael Schaefer; step children, Freddy (Linda) Krieger, and Laura (Lester) Wagemaker; brother, Norman (Winifred) Schaefer; grandchildren, Kelsey, Megan & Kaley Schaefer; step-grandchildren, Hans Erik, Liesel Marie, Hunter Christian, and Gretchen “Greta” Krieger, and Rachelle Fretz and Nathanial Abiel, and Timothy Isaac Wagemaker; and by his step-great-grandchildren, Jordan and Alyssa Fretz; by numerous nieces and nephews; and by his dog Toby and cat Tinkerbell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Schaefer-Mak.