Jerry Hall
September 25, 1932 - January 19, 2009

Jerry Vernon Hall was a man cut from the cloth of so many men of his generation. He was strong, he was uncomplaining, but most of all he was steadfast, someone you could depend on. Jerry provided for his family, working as a pipe fitter for thirty five years. He proudly served his country during the Korean War.

Born on September 25, 1932 in Muskegon, Michigan to Harry and Gladys Hall, Jerry was one of five children. Harry and Gladys worked hard to support their young family, but tragically, Harry died when Jerry was only two years old. Life during the Great Depression was difficult for many people, but it was especially hard for a young family with no father. Gladys, along with Jerrys older siblings, Leo, Harry, Beulah and Barbara did the best they could to keep the family together and raise Jerry. Times were so lean, that sometimes there was nothing to eat except onion sandwiches. People in the neighborhood did what they could to look after Jerry too.

After completing the 11th grade in high school, Jerry decided to join the army, where he could get three square meals a day, (even though army food is not all that great)! He joined the United States Army and proudly served from March, 1952 to February, 1954, including eleven months in the Korean War. He was assigned to an Engineering Unit. After his service, he received the Korean Service ribbon with two bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. When he was honorably discharged on February 24, 1954, he had achieved the rank of Corporal.

After his service in the army, Jerry found employment as a meat cutter at a local grocery store. A couple years later he started working for S. D. Warren Paper Mill in Muskegon. He met someone and they got married, bringing two beautiful children, Jerry (Steven) and Denise, into the world. Several years later, Jerry and his first wife were divorced.

In 1964, Jerry had a second chance at love. He met a lady named Juanita, who also had a second chance at love. Juanita with her four children, David, Andrew, Penny and Shelly, combined with Jerry and his two children, Jerry (Steven) and Denise to form a blended family. A year later, Jerry Hall II came along to complete the family of nine.

Jerry continued to work at the paper mill, putting in long hours to support his large family. Many times he had to sacrifice spending time and interacting with the children, just to make sure they all had enough food and clothing. Jerry knew his first priority as a father was to provide for his family. Not only did Jerry put in long hours at the paper mill, he also worked as a plumber on the side to earn extra money.

Even though Jerry had to sacrifice time away from his children, they still have some fond memories of their father. One son recounted how he was afraid that he was disappointing his macho dad by asking for a telescope for Christmas. He can still remember the excitement of unwrapping his requested gift and the thrill of viewing the moon and its craters for the first time. He also remembered how he hated being the designated helper when his dad went to plumbing jobs. It made him realize what a hard and dirty job plumbing can be. More importantly, it gave him an appreciation of his dad and some useful plumbing skills he uses today. One of Jerrys daughters remembers when he bought her a wool outfit, that made her itch for days, but would never tell her dad because he gave it to her. She also remembers the special times at weddings when her dad would ask her to dance.

After thirty five years of dedicated service to S. D. Warren, Jerry was able to retire in 1991. In his spare time he was able to enjoy golfing and making wind chimes.

All of Jerrys years of hard work took their toll. He suffered from gall stones, kidney cancer and prostate cancer. Jerry put up a good fight with every health battle that came along, but eventually he succumbed to Alzheimers. Jerry was like a boxer winning all the fights and this was his last fight and it was now time for him to retire, go to the promise land and be at peace.

Jerry was a proud and strong man. Even though his work took a lot of his time, he still found time to make funny faces, spruce up a car for a son, and take a daughter to a father/daughter banquet. Jerry was a dedicated father and husband, who saw his duty and did it to the best of his ability. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jerry V. Hall, age 76, died Monday, January 19, 2009.

SURVIVORS

Sons, David (Alice) Baldwin of TN, Andrew (Diane) Baldwin of IA, Jerry Steven Hall of CA, Jerry Vernon (Linda) Hall of Troy; daughters, Penny

(John) Weaver of Twin Lake, Shelly (Jim) Budsberg of WA, Denise (Jeff) Brodrick of PA; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; brothers, Harry

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