Jerome “Jerry” Allen Hodge, 83, of Empire, passed away Fri, Jul 24, 2015. Jerry was born at home on Dorsey Rd in Empire on Mar 23, 1932. He was the son of the late Charles and Helen (Dorsey) Hodge. He married Beatrice June Watson on Jun 4, 1955. Together they raised three wonderful daughters.
Jerry honorably served our country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. When he returned he attended Michigan State University. Jerry worked as a foreman for many years for the Michigan Department of Transportation. He was a member of the Masonic Order, the Shriners, a founding member of the Empire Lions Club, a member of the American Legion and the AMVETS. Jerry was a volunteer for the Edwards SAPIEN heart valve replacement procedure at the University of Michigan. The experimental procedure was instrumental for FDA approval within the United States.
In his spare time, he enjoyed ice fishing, hunting, and dancing with Bea. He agreed with Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way.” Most importantly Jerry loved his family. He was a very proud husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His sarcastic, funny and loving personality will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
Surviving Jerry is his wife Beatrice of 60 years; daughters, Lori Nash of Empire, Karen (Russ) Greenleaf of Luther, Ruth (Ed) Lyons of Sand Creek; grandchildren, Andrew (Carrie) Joynt, Jami Nash, Elizabeth Hinkley, Rob (Kenzie Smith) Hinkley, Aleta Lyons, Jake Lyons, Noah Lyons, Jennifer (Todd) Piggott, Byron (Nikki) Greenleaf, great grandchildren, Cole, Matthew, Eva, and one on the way; sisters in law, Zelda and Margaret Hodge, and many other loving family members and friends.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Aleta (Warren) Aylsworth, Charles Hodge, and John Hodge.
Visitation will be held on Mon, Jul 27, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral services will take place also at the funeral home at 11 am on Tue, Jul 28. Memorial contributions may be directed to the University of Michigan Aortic Disease Clinic.