Gerald R. Jankowiak

 Gerald R. Jankowiak, 81, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016 at his home in Indian River.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00pm, Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the Cross in the Woods Catholic Church in Indian River. .  Fr. Michael Haney, O.F.M. will celebrate the mass.  Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10:00am until the time of mass at noon.

Jerry was born on Jan. 1, 1935 in Detroit.  He was the son of Thaddeus and Florence (Dysarz) Jankowiak.  He grew up in Detroit where he attended public and parochial schools.  Jerry was a veteran of the US Army.

On April 28, 1962 Jerry married Lillian S. Janik in Detroit where the couple made their home and raised their family.  He was a journeyman carpenter with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Union, doing fire restoration work in the Detroit area.  He owned and operated Big Pole Construction Company in Detroit and was know as the "Big Pole" to his friends. He retired in 2001.  At that time Jerry and Lillian moved to Indian River where they have been since.  Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing and swimming.  He attended the Cross in the Woods Catholic Church.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Lillian; children, John Jankowiak of Indian River, Barbara Gennette of Indian River, Paul (Deborah) Jankowiak of Afton; eleven grandchildren; one great grandson; siblings, Marilyn Bondy of Taylor, MI, Joan (Joseph) Bundas of Hale, MI, Richard Jankowiak of Taylor, MI, MI; several nieces and nephews.  Besides his parents Jerry was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurie Crutchfield.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Jerry's family.  Online condolences may be made at stonefuneralhomeinc.com.  Lintz Funeral Home in Indian River served the Jankowiak family.

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