Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Moerland, Gerald Lee 2004 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net February 3, 2011, 12:33 pm Ionia Sentinel Standard, 6 May 2004 Gerald “Jerry” Lee Moerland, 65, of Ionia. The battle was ferocious and though cancer may have won, Jerry was victorious when angels bore him to the Son. Gerald “Jerry” Lee Moerland, cherished husband, father and “Papa” beloved son and brother and faithful loving friend was gently called home by Jesus on May 4, 2004 after a brave battle with cancer. Loved and respected by all who knew him, Jerry was fun loving, energetic and extremely honorable. He had a true servant’s heart and was a faithful example of Christ’s love in all aspects of his life. He was devoted to his loving wife, Ann Marie (Brannas) to whom he was married for 42 cherished years. He had a great love for children and displayed joyful exuberance, intense loyalty and unending love not only to his own four children and nine precious grandchildren, but to any child who had the honor of knowing him. He was affectionately known as “Papa” by virtually every child who spent time with him. Jerry took great pleasure in the beauty of God’s creation and loved outdoor activities in all seasons. He especially loved gardening, camping and taking nature walks or sledding with his grandchildren. He was also a sports enthusiast who particularly enjoyed the Ionia Bulldogs and Detroit Tigers baseball, attending his final Tigers game with his children and grandchildren only ten days before his death. Jerry was born in Grand Rapids on November 9, 1938 the son of Isaac and Blanche Moerland. He graduated from Caledonia High School and from Michigan State University from which he received his teaching degree and later a master’s degree. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and moved to Ionia in 1963. Jerry worked for more than 30 years at the Handlon Michigan Training Unit as a teacher of Math and History before retiring in 1994. He also taught classes for the Ionia County Jail and Ionia Community Education for almost 30 years. Jerry was an active member of the Ionia First United Methodist Church, which he faithfully served in several capacities during his 40 years there, most recently occupying the job of treasurer and sexton. Jerry’s steadfast faith, amazing integrity and complete devotion to those he loved served as an example and inspiration to many people. His memory will be treasured in our hearts as we strive to continue his legacy of faith, honor and courage while we await our reunion with him in our Father’s arms. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Isaac; son-in-law, David Swanson; and a brother-in-law, Marvin Veldheer. He is survived by his wife, Ann Marie (Brannas); his children, David (Marisa), Michael (Melissa), Stephen, Tina and a “daughter of the heart”, Kim (Richard) Thomas; grandchildren, Tabitha, Amanda, Alessia, Erika, Jessica, Eric, Tyler, Jared, Alanna, Jonathon, Travis and Hunter; mother, Blanche Moerland; three sisters, Marge Veldheer, Betty (Harold) Dykstra, and Virginia (Jim) Cronover; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. The religious services will be conducted by Rev. Martin H. Culver, Pastor, at 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, 105 E. Main St., Ionia. Interment will follow in Tuttle Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Cook Chapel, 220 Rich St., Ionia. For those wishing contributions may be made to the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, 3150 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 113, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 in memory of Jerry. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/m/moerland10796nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb