Gerald Jay Geerligs

June 23, 1934 ~
December 24, 2023

Gerald “Jerry” Jay Geerligs, age 89, of Caledonia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Jerry owned and operated Geerligs Landscape Maintenance for many years and loved growing things and tending to God’s creation. He also enjoyed music, camping, and riding his motorcycle with his wife, Evelyn. He also loved all things Jeep, owning many beloved Jeeps throughout his life. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Jerry proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Evelyn; son, Kevin; brother and sister, David Geerligs, Louise Idema. He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Gary and Courtney Geerligs, Shelly and Marv DeGroot, Kirk and Annette Geerligs, Mark and Ronda Geerligs, Joy and Paul Gorman; 24 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; sister, Kathleen and Tony VanZanten; sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Joanne Geerligs, Ken Idema; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with Pastor John Lowder officiating. Burial will be held at Dutton Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Visitation
Friday, December 29
2:00pm - 4:00pm

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Visitation
Friday, December 29
6:00pm - 8:00pm

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Visitation
Saturday, December 30
10:00am - 11:00am

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Funeral Service
Saturday, December 30
11:00am

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Leave Your Tribute Message

December 30, 2023 7:37pm
Gary and family, praying for you as you grieve the loss of your Dad and Granddaughter. Praying for your peace. Sue Hoffman and family

- Sue Hoffman

December 29, 2023 8:24pm
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Geerligs family. I worked for Jerry and his son Kirk back in 93-95 and those were some of the best years of my life. Jerry treated me like family and it was an honor to work and learn from him.

- Dave Andre

December 29, 2023 1:29pm
Although I never met Mr. Geerligs, I heard many stories about him, and how great of a guy he was. Shelly shared many stories with me while I sat and waited for my physical therapy appointments. I learned how much he really meant to her. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you Shelly for sharing your stories of your dad. You have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I heard about his passing.

- Tony Smith

December 29, 2023 7:48am
A laugh that filled a room, a heart that was larger than life and always made time for conversation and passed it all on to the whole family. hold the memories close and each other closer. Keeping you all in our thoughts.

- Paul and Karen Gipe

December 29, 2023 7:37am
So sorry to hear of Gerry's passing. He was such a nice man. Our family has a lot of memories of him and your family as friends of ours! He will be missed. I will be unable to attend the funeral due to illness, but I will be with you in spirit. Prayers for peace and comfort for the family!

- Angie (Gipe) VanMalsen

December 27, 2023 9:34pm
Big loveable Jerry! I know Jerry love to build things and tinker with his boys- I remember the first time I had witness one of their “expandable back blades “ in action 30-40 years ago? It was at a B&B snow event and I was in next in line behind one of his sons … and all of a sudden his back blade started to expand- expand it did to 16’!!!— what mastermind of mechanical know how!!!- He surely will be missed! Peace and comfort to the family to the Family in the coming days!!!

- Henry Katerberg Jr




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