Obituary for Mr. Gerald L. Downing

Mr. Gerald Louis Downing, age 75, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, February 17, 2014 after a long illness with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He was born on June 17, 1938 at home in Gagetown, MI, the son of Agatha and Wesley Downing. He married Joyce Hilt on August 8, 1964, and they enjoyed 49 years of marriage. Jerry graduated from Western Michigan University in 1962 with a BS in Political Science/Education. After six months of active duty in the Army Reserves, he was a history and government teacher at North Muskegon High School (1963-1966). After receiving an MA in Counseling from WMU, he became a counselor at Laketon Junior High School (1966-1968) and Bunker School from 1968 until he retired in 1994. Jerry was elected Assessor for the City of North Muskegon and later served on the City’s Board of Review for many years. He was a member of White Lake Golf Club and the ΣAE Fraternity. He enjoyed reading, traveling, playing golf, card games and most importantly, spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, Mark (Mandy) Downing; daughter, Anne (John) Brainard; granddaughters, Abby Brainard and Lucy Downing; grandsons, Jace Brainard and Nicholas Downing; brother, Jack (Harriet) Downing; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick and Brenda Hilt; sister-in-law, Eulah Downing; many nieces, nephews and devoted caregiver, Sandy Barnhart. He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Robert, Richard, Tom, Jim, Bill, Paul and two sisters, Genevieve Freiburger and Joan Doyen. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be 11:00 AM Saturday, February 22, 2014 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100 with Rev. Timothy D. VanderHaar officiating. VISITATION will be from 3-6 PM Friday. MEMORIALS in Jerry’s name may be made to Harbor Hospice.