Jerald Franklin Blakely

Jerald Franklin Blakely

Bay City, formerly of Sebewaing

Age 71, died Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Bay Valley House in Bay City due to complications of COVID.

He was born July 2, 1949 in Brown City, son of the late Rev. Harold and Loretta Lucille (Nicholson) Blakely.

Jerald was a 1967 graduate of Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port High School.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a mechanic serving in Alaska and Vietnam.  He then attended Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

He moved to Sebewaing in 1986 and was employed at Sebewaing Industries and then Tower until they closed.  He retired shortly thereafter. He enjoyed Facetiming and visiting with family, hunting, ice fishing, photography, woodworking, cars, and watching Andy Griffith.

Surviving are two sons, James (Melissa) Blakely, Sturgis; Jeremy (fiancée Carrey Robinson) Blakely, Sturgis; two daughters, Karie (Todd) Juengel, Reed City; Amber (Chad) Himebauch, Harbor Springs; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Nancy Spencer, Marlette; Karen Blakely, Sebewaing, Joan (Craig) Douglas, Carrollton; one brother-in-law, Fritz Faber, St. Charles; also, his fiancée, Penny Dynda, Bay City and her children, Michelle Dynda and Kim (Dave) Janasik; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Judy Faber.

Visitation will take place at the Juengel-Mellendorf Funeral Home in Sebewaing on Friday, January 22, from 12 to 3 p.m. with COVID restrictions in place. There will be a private service for the immediate family at 3 p.m. Inurnment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sebewaing.

Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans Foundation. You may send a check in the mail for the DAV to the funeral home or donate at www.donate.dav.org