Gerald A. “Jerry” Vestal, Joseph “Junior” Schafer
Gerald A. “Jerry” Vestal
Gerald A. “Jerry” Vestal, age 82, of St. Johns, Michigan died Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at his home.
Jerry’s wishes were to be cremated with no memorial service.
Jerry was born in Leslie, Michigan on January 18, 1929, the son of Joseph and Anna (Evenson) Vestal. He married Reva (Salter) Whitman on April 23, 1983. Jerry served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a gravel truck driver with Martin Block and retired after 30 years. Jerry enjoyed spending time on his houseboats at Hardy Dam and Bay City and watching birds at home.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years Reva Vestal, 4 sons; Steven and Brenda Vestal, Lee and April Whitman, Scott and Pauline Whitman and Gene and Jennifer Whitman, 1 daughter Reva and Steve Parker, 1 sister Joyce Harper, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, 2 daughters; Rebecca Whitman and Dawn McGahan, 1 sister Merle Johnson, and 2 brothers; Clare and Lyle Vestal.
Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Johns Chapel St. Johns, Michigan.
Joseph “Junior” Schafer
Joseph “Junior” Schafer, 79, died on March 14, 2011 in Ionia Michigan. He was born in Fowler, on August 31, 1931, the son of Joseph and Mary (Fernholz) Schafer. Joe was a proud member of VFW Post# 4063, having served in the Army as an Artilleryman, during the Korean War. He is a recipient of the Occupation Medal, Japan and Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. Joe was a fine musician, playing the piano, harmonica, and best known for his accordion playing. Joe was a self-taught tile installer, passing his skills on to his sons.
Joe is survived by his daughters; Margaret (Randy) Evangelesta of Sierra Vista, Arizona; Marla Schafer of Lansing, and sons, Milo (Pegi) Schafer of Ionia, Colin Schafer of Land of Lakes, Florida; Harold Craig Schafer of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Joe is also survived by his sisters: Joyce (Gordon) Essenberg, MaryLou Hagerman, Alice Burdette, Laura Divish, brothers, Arthur (Josephine) Schafer, Eugene (Pat) Schafer, Dennis Schafer, grandchildren, Lena, Carla, Katrina, Amanda, Angela, Joseph, Brian, great grandchildren, Sydney, Curtis, Mya, D.J., Nathan and several nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, son, Brian Schafer, sisters, Catherine Hatfield, Irene Fisher, Adeline Schafer, and brothers, Bernard, Gaylord, and Charles Schafer.
Services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery Chapel in Fowler, Michigan. The family was served by Osgood Funeral Homes.
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