ROERSMA, JERRY C. SR. age 83, of Alpine Township,Jerry went to share heaven with our Lord, and the family and friends who preceded him on his journey to this new life on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 and within 2 hours was joined in passing journey by his sister, Betty Reed, in Hudson, FL. Jerry was only diagnosed with cancer in late April, so the family was truly blessed to be able to share these last weeks with him and the chance to share thoughts and feelings with him, and he with us. He was born on September 23, 1931 to George and Ann (Farkas) Roersma and grew up on Grand Rapids northwest side and on Little Pine Island Lake. Jerry met the love of his life, though definitely not realizing that on their first date, and eventually married Leora (Homrich) on May 9, 1953 at Holy Name Catholic Church. After serving in the US Army, Jerry and Lee settled into their first home in Wyoming, but moved to Alpine Township in 1963. They also owned a cottage for several years at Little Whitefish Lake and a home in Mission, Texas. Jerry worked at the GM Fisher Body Plant 2, on Alpine Avenue. He belonged to the American Legion Club 47 for many years. In addition to his wife of 62 years, Lee, Jerry is survived by all six of his children, Cindy and Ron Heinbeck, Bill and Diane, Deacon Jerry and Sue, Jack and Colleen, Fred and Trudy, and Steve and Karen Roersma; grandchildren, Angie and Todd VerDuin, Melissa Stachowiak, Heather Baehre, Jodi and Steve Eichbauer, Sarah and Tom Becker, Nate and Rhiannon Roersma, Mariel Roersma, Katie and John Rohrhoff, Andrew Roersma and Tiffany, Nicholas Roersma, Jake and Missy Roersma, Elizabeth Roersma and Davis, Cody Roersma, Wyatt Roersma and fiancée Lauren, Annika Roersma and Rachel Roersma; step grandkids, Andy and Anita Heinbeck, Beth Heinbeck and Kyle, Jason and Stephanie Heinbeck; 15 great grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren; his sister, Barbara and Ken Brenner of New Smyrna Beach; sister in-law, Jessie Roersma-Davie; those "Homrich Girls" sisters in-law, Crystal Terrell-Poll, Bernie (Anderson) and Carl Church, Sally (Ocobock) and Cecil Sturm, Vi Shoemaker, and Donna Ketelaar; many nieces and nephews whom he loved and many friends here in Michigan and Mission, TX. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Ted and Ethel Homrich; brother, Jim; sister-in-law, Lorraine Lindsay-Kaverman-Brenner; and brothers in-law, Bob Terrell, Don Poll, Herb Lindsay, Stub Kaverman, John Brenner, Art Anderson, Jack Ocobock, Russ Shoemaker, and his buddy and later brother in-law, Don Ketelaar. Many thanks to the doctors, nurses and social workers at Lacks Cancer Center and to the team from Emmanuel Hospice, Sister Gabriella, also Lori and Kathy who helped care for Jerry and his family during those final days. Visitation will be held with the family on Sunday, June 21, 2015 from 4-8 PM at the Beuschel Funeral Home, 5018 Alpine Avenue NW, Comstock Park, with a Scripture and Remembering Service at 7 PM. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Jerry's life and journey to his God will be held on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 11 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1200 Alpine Church Road, Comstock Park with Fr. Thomas G. Simons and Fr. Tom McKinney presiding and assisted by Deacons Jerry Roersma and Dennis Williams and under the auspice of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will follow at a later date for the family at Alpine Center Cemetery on Seven Mile Road and Walker Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the foundation set up in honor of their great granddaughter, Riley Rohrhoff (see below), or Holy Trinity Catholic Church, or Emmanuel Hospice would be appreciated. The Riley Katheryn Foundation, which is a 501.c.3 dedicated to increasing awareness of infant death and providing financial support relating to funeral expenses to families whose baby has died and are unable to cover funeral expenses.