Jerry Kishman

Jerry Kishman was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life of selfless service to his country, his community, and his family. He loved helping people, making their lives a little better with a helping hand, a laugh, or a story. Jerry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, and the unofficial “Mayor of Grand Valley.” He was a man who made our lives better, just by knowing him.

Jerry’s story began on a cool spring day in 1926, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were good days in this country, times of peace and prosperity, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s, and the Prohibition era. On April 13, 1926, Pearl Patterson celebrated the birth of a baby boy she named Gerald Leonard, later followed by his half-brothers, Robert and Floyd.

Jerry was raised by his aunt and uncle, Maude and George Kishman, who gave him a very loving home. He was joined by his sisters Alice, Violet, Ruth and Doris on the family’s farm on Linden Dr. in Tallmadge Township, where his incredible work ethic was formed.

Jerry was very close with his family and cousins when he was growing up, and the family remained close all of their lives. He considered himself very lucky to have two mothers. When they finished their chores around the farm, the neighborhood boys would head off into the fields and streams hunting and fishing. Jerry attended Sand Creek School through the eighth grade, when he quit to work on the farm full time, as was so common in those days.

Soon his Uncle Sam would have other plans for Jerry, however. Jerry came of age during World War II, and like so many of his peers, when Jerry turned 18, he ran out and enlisted in the U.S. Army, anxious to do his part. On August 25, 1944, Jerry traveled to Detroit and signed up. Before he knew it, he was fighting overseas in Europe with the Army’s Company B, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, the “Tough Hombres.”

Jerry proudly served his country, bravely and valiantly, and was wounded in action on February 9, 1945, for which he earned the Purple Heart. He fought many battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, and by the time he was discharged on June 11, 1946, the young Corporal had also earned three Bronze Stars for his valor.

Jerry returned to the Grand Rapids area, and resumed work on the family farm, ready to claim his share of the American Dream. Soon he would find someone to share it with, too.

Jerry was set up on a blind date where he met a beautiful young women named Vivian Daniels. The two hit it off that night, and quickly began dating, spending many nights dancing the night away. It wasn't long before they fell in love, and were married in Crown Point, IN in April of 1953.

The newlyweds settled into a home in Conklin, MI. Jerry started working at Grand Valley Redi-Mix and built a home on the family farm. He became a successful business man when he purchased part ownership of Grand Valley Redi-Mix. He worked hard at building and maintaining a successful business. He was also a hobby farmer and grew produce and raised livestock and horses along with running a produce stand for many years.

Jerry and Vivian were blessed with five wonderful children over the years. First by their son Larry, followed by Tom one year later, followed by Jim four years later, followed by Yvonne one and a half years later, followed by Patty seven years later to round out the happy family.

The family did much together over the years, and enjoyed camping at the Hardy Dam for many summer vacations. They loved it there, camping with Jerry’s brother Floyd and his family, swimming and fishing their days away. Every holiday was a huge family get-together with his brother and four sisters and their families.

Eventually, Jerry bought the Kishman family farm, where he grew up. He gave each of his kids a parcel of land of their own to build on, so he had his children and grandchildren close by over the years, and loved watching them grow up more than anything.

Jerry loved many things, especially helping people. He was a selfless, caring man, a pillar of his community, and considered by many the honorary “mayor” of Grand Valley! Jerry was beloved by everyone who met him, and he always had a funny joke or an amazing story to tell. Jerry was an incredible storyteller, culled from all his life’s adventures. He also loved to sing, belting out all his favorite country or classic songs, playing the spoons as he lit up the room.

Jerry was also a very proud veteran, and a charter member of the Marne American Legion Post #376, was a member of the Berlin Fair Board for 33 years, and a member of the Marne Conservation Club, too. He was a member of the Order of the Purple Heart, and loved to read World War II historical books.

After he retired, Jerry and Vivian began wintering in the Florida Keys, and later Port Hatchineha in Haines City, Florida, where he loved taking friends for rides in his pontoon boat. He always returned in the summertime, anxious to see his family again.

Jerry began developing health problems in 2000, when he had heart bypass. He later developed COPD, and his health slowly began to decline, after a long life of hard work and service. As his health began to diminish, dementia set in, and he was admitted to Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Jerry was able to celebrate his 82nd birthday with family, before he sadly died on Tuesday evening, May 20, 2008 with his family at his side, at 10:55 p.m.

Jerry was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a man who worked hard, helped often, and lived and loved to the fullest. He was a proud veteran, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Jerry was a great man with a great life, a life we were so blessed to have shared. He will be greatly missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his grandson Jeremy Kishman, and his sisters, Violet Smith, Ruth DeMott, and Doris Holzhay. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vivian Kishman; his children, Larry Kishman, Tom (Sue) Kishman, Jim (Lisa) Kishman, Yvonne (Bob) Bird, Patty Kishman; 11 grandchildren, Jill Bly, Michael Kishman, Mandi Kishman, Chris Kishman, Adam Kishman, Brian Kishman, Andrew Kishman, Tori Boone, Rachel Kishman, Nichole Gamby, Erin Kishman and 11 great grandchildren; his brother Floyd Prelewitz; his sister, Alice VandenBerg; his brother-in-law, Richard Daniels; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

A service to celebrate Jerry’s life will be held on Saturday morning at 11:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW with pastor John Wiig officiating. Graveside services in Maplewood Cemetery under the auspices of the Marne American Legion Honor Guard. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Contributions in his memory may be made to Marne American Legion or Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. To sign his guest book and share your own memory of him, visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com