1920
Geralda
2013
Geralda "Jerry" Wilderspin
September 8, 1920 — October 17, 2013
Munising
Geralda "Jerry" Wilderspin, age 93, of Crestwood Drive, Munising, passed away on Thursday morning, October 17, 2013 at the Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte, Florida. She was born on September 8, 1920 in Flint, Michigan to Vernon and Florence (Clark) Hickey. Jerry grew up in Flint and graduated from high school there. While spending a summer at Nevins Lake, she was swept off of her feet by Charles "Spin" Wilderspin. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Munising on August 21, 1941. During WWII, Spin served in the U.S. Army. Jerry spent some time with him in California and then when he went overseas, she and their son resided with her parents in Flint. When Charles returned home from the War, they returned to Munising and were blessed with three daughters. They ran "Spin and Jerry's Hunting Camp" on the Adams Trail for many years. The family moved to Haslett and Jerry worked as a secretary at Michigan State University for eight years. While there, she was active in the Haslett Community Church. While living downstate, Jerry enjoyed bowling and she won many trophies. The Wilderspin family returned to Munising and Jerry worked as a secretary for the U.S. Forest Service for ten years, retiring from there. During their retirement, she and Spin enjoyed many trips fishing and camping on the Esnagami River in Canada. Jerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She loved reading and watching Westerns, rock collecting, and archeology.
Jerry is survived by her husband of over seventy-two years - Charles Joseph Wilderspin of Munising and Punta Gorda, FL; three daughters - Sherry Stelmaszek of Punta Gorda, FL, Deanna "Dee" Wilder of Ocala, FL, and Susan (Duff) Meyer of Marquette; daughter-in-law - Lee Anne Brook and her daughter Cindy; grandchildren - Richard (Lisa) Fromm, Tammie (Dave) Nyman, John Stelmaszek, Christopher (Dana) Vadnais, Paula (Ted) Bullard, Jason (Jill Schwenke) Carter; stepgrandchildren - Brad (Megan) Meyer, Christine (Andrew) Brunette, and Suzanne (Mark) Jokela; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by her parents, their son Vernon Charles Wilderspin who was killed in Vietnam on January 31, 1968, son-in-law John Stelmaszek, step-grandson Scott Stelmaszek, and brother Rolet Hickey.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Pastor Jim Ramelis will conduct Jerry's funeral service on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home's chapel. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.
Geralda "Jerry" Wilderspin, age 93, of Crestwood Drive, Munising, passed away on Thursday morning, October 17, 2013 at the Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte, Florida. She was born on September 8, 1920 in Flint, Michigan to Vernon and Florence (Clark) Hickey. Jerry grew up in Flint and graduated from high school there. While spending a summer at Nevins Lake, she was swept off of her feet by Charles "Spin" Wilderspin. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Munising on August 21, 1941. During WWII, Spin served in the U.S. Army. Jerry spent some time with him in California and then when he went overseas, she and their son resided with her parents in Flint. When Charles returned home from the War, they returned to Munising and were blessed with three daughters. They ran "Spin and Jerry's Hunting Camp" on the Adams Trail for many years. The family moved to Haslett and Jerry worked as a secretary at Michigan State University for eight years. While there, she was active in the Haslett Community Church. While living downstate, Jerry enjoyed bowling and she won many trophies. The Wilderspin family returned to Munising and Jerry worked as a secretary for the U.S. Forest Service for ten years, retiring from there. During their retirement, she and Spin enjoyed many trips fishing and camping on the Esnagami River in Canada. Jerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She loved reading and watching Westerns, rock collecting, and archeology.
Jerry is survived by her husband of over seventy-two years - Charles Joseph Wilderspin of Munising and Punta Gorda, FL; three daughters - Sherry Stelmaszek of Punta Gorda, FL, Deanna "Dee" Wilder of Ocala, FL, and Susan (Duff) Meyer of Marquette; daughter-in-law - Lee Anne Brook and her daughter Cindy; grandchildren - Richard (Lisa) Fromm, Tammie (Dave) Nyman, John Stelmaszek, Christopher (Dana) Vadnais, Paula (Ted) Bullard, Jason (Jill Schwenke) Carter; stepgrandchildren - Brad (Megan) Meyer, Christine (Andrew) Brunette, and Suzanne (Mark) Jokela; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by her parents, their son Vernon Charles Wilderspin who was killed in Vietnam on January 31, 1968, son-in-law John Stelmaszek, step-grandson Scott Stelmaszek, and brother Rolet Hickey.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Pastor Jim Ramelis will conduct Jerry's funeral service on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home's chapel. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.
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