Gerald (Jerry) Gross

Mr. Gerald "Jerry" Lee Gross, a lifelong resident of Millington, MI, passed away Monday morning, March 22, 2021, with his family at his side at the age of 83.

Friends may call at the Hanlin Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, where the family will greet friends from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Gerald’s funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, March 25, 2021, at Hanlin Funeral Home. Afterwards, Gerald will be laid to rest within Millington Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Millington Community Center [8705 State Rd, Millington, Michigan 48746] or St. Paul Lutheran Church [4941 Center St, Millington, MI 48746]. You’re welcome to express condolences, share a memory, or light a candle at www.hanlinfuneralhome.com

Gerald was born in Millington, on August 17, 1937, the second of six sons to the late Lewis and the late Clarabell (Smith) Gross. At heart, Jerry was a country boy and was most content living on his family’s Millington homestead. This allowed him the great joy of remaining near his beloved family and friends. As a young adult, he enjoyed enduro dirt bike racing; he was even a Jack Pine race winner. If you asked him what was his favorite race memory, he would say ‘all of them’. He continued to ride motorcycles but switched to road bikes later in life. He was a lifelong member of the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) and enjoyed attending annual events.

A dedicated employee, he spent 43 years with General Motors and retired in 1999. Jerry tended to his garden and tinkered with tractors and farm machinery; after retiring he spent more of his time at farm auctions where he always found a bargain. He and his very dear friend and neighbor spent hours together on projects. They were usually involved in something outside be it digging a hole with the backhoe, pushing dirt with the bulldozer, cutting fields of grass with the brush hog, or clearing driveways and parking lots full of snow.

As a young boy he loved dogs, this love continued throughout his life. His most recent companion, Max, would come running every time he heard the truck start up because he knew he was going for a ride and a treat would be involved. As a frequent diner of McPherson’s he rarely left without a hot dog or some leftovers for his loyal canine. Speaking of McPherson’s, there was only one day a year when Jerry would not eat a meal there; his birthday. He said that he couldn’t go because all of those girls would make a fuss over him. McPherson’s was such an integral part of Jerry’s life that as soon as there was a new grandbaby or great grandbaby he would count the days until he could take them to the restaurant.

Eating out was a passion of Jerry’s. Oh how he loved his food and sweets! Church and community dinners were especially satisfying. He made sure they were written on his calendar and even received phone call reminders. He would routinely go to the dessert table first, fearful he might miss out on the lemon meringue pie. However, few pies were ever as good as his mother’s. He never stopped raving about her baking. The entire family knew the way to Jerry’s heart was through food, he never turned down an invitation to come to his daughter’s house for one of his son-in-law’s grilled steaks. His grandchildren did not visit him without bringing some goodie they prepared especially for him.

A happy-go-lucky-guy, Jerry was rarely seen without a smile on his face. A devilish grin might be a better description. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a loyal brother, a generous friend, and a believer of God. Jerry lived each day joyfully and positively without complaints or regrets.

Those left to carry on Gerald’s legacy include his two children, Wendy (Mark) Muehlfeld, and Robert (Ruzzy) Gross;  eleven grandchildren: Jamie (Paul), Tracie, Daniel (Laura), Joshua (Emily), Misty (Jake), Matthew, and Ariel; Seven great-grandchild: Izabel, Ava, Ayden, Bianca, Chenoa, Christopher, and Timothy; brother, Dick (Sharon) and sister, Gail; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Besides his parents, Gerald is also preceded in death by his brothers Gordon, Eugene, and James Gross.

Written with love by Jerry's family.

Hanlin Funeral Home

Serving Since 1928