Gerald Stuart Degroat

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Gerald (Jerry) Stuart DeGroat, 69, of Unionville, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, March 11, 2016 with his family and friends by his side. Son of the late Elias and Theresa (Andres) DeGroat, Jerry was born November 10, 1946 in Saginaw, and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1964. In 1967, Jerry married Tamyra Zacharias. Following the dissolution of this marriage, he was united in marriage with Jane Frances Trischler in 1978. Jane and Jerry's favorite saying was that they deserved each other. Known for his strong work ethic, Jerry retired from General Motors after forty-three years of service. Traveling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren brought endless joy to his life. He was a wonderful, loving, Christ-filled man who will be greatly missed not only by his family, but by his many friends whose lives he touched over the years. He was a member of Living Waters Chapel in Caro. Jerry is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Karen (Dennis) Southgate of Unionville, David (Jessica) VanHove of Unionville, Kristine (Karl) Safranek of Macomb, Matthew (Kristen) DeGroat of Akron, LeeAnn Joy (Timothy II) Olson of Sebewaing, Sarah Peace (Clifford) Louis of Fairgrove, Patrick (Kristina) DeGroat of Cocoa, Florida, Andrew (Lindsay) DeGroat of Caro, Lyssa DeGroat of Unionville, Richard DeGroat of Traverse City, Norma DeGroat of Unionville, Aaron and Kathy LaPonsie of Snover; grandchildren, Joseph, Benjamin and Allison Southgate, Jacob VanHove, Zander and Anja Safranek, Natalie and Brady DeGroat, Cody, Konnor, Evan and Elliana Olson, Katelyn and Breelie Louis, Braylin and Baby (expected summer of 2016) DeGroat, Lucas and Brooklyn DeGroat, Amber, Jordan and Colton Kus and Kassie LaPonsie, sisters, Helen (James) Phillips of St. George, Utah and Mary Gentle of Kawkawlin Township; brother, Edward (Nancy) DeGroat of Saginaw; sister-in-law, Alice DeGroat of Saginaw; brothers- and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur DeGroat, and his brother-in-law, Richard Gentle. Along with the family, he will be missed by his dear friend, Sharry Jones-Hammond, aka "work wife." Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday March 19, 2016 at the Deford Community Church with Revs. David Cooper, Jon Terry and James Solomon officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 4:00 p.m. In memory of Jerry, the family would hope you would do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Gideon International, Positive Alternatives or the DeGroat Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Jane DeGroat, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. Visitation Information Date: Friday, March 18, 2016 Time: 10:00 am End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 4:00 p.m. Service Information Date: Saturday, March 19, 2016 Time: 4:00 pm Deford Community Church Address: Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday March 19, 2016 at the Deford Community Church with Revs. David Cooper, Jon Terry and James Solomon officiating.