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Memories & Candles

“Gerry had a big heart. He loved shooting. I so enjoyed his friendly spirit. Rest in peace Partner! ”
1 of 41 | Posted by: tom kanoski - bridgman, MI

“My family I and were saddened to get the news of Jerry's passing. I personally have a lot of fond memories of our families spending time together in...Read More »
2 of 41 | Posted by: Greg Hiltgen - Shawano, WI

“Jerry was a really great guy to work with. His contagious laughter echoed down our hall many times after the many shakeups at Heath landed him in...Read More »
3 of 41 | Posted by: Earl Morse - Magnolia, TX

“It's difficult to say good-bye when someone we love dies, To know we'll miss the laughter and the love found in their eyes, Yet much emptiness and...Read More »
4 of 41 | Posted by: Mike and Kathy (Rozinski) Phipps - MI

“Judy, Duane, Dawn, Sue, Miranda & Jeremy, Every memory I have of Jerry is a happy one. His sweet, caring personality and sense of humor were a...Read More »
5 of 41 | Posted by: Julie Heyn - Baroda, MI

“As a receptionist at Great Lakes Heart I always enjoyed Gerald when he came in with a big smile and a hug. Such a sweet, kind, gentle man. May his...Read More »
6 of 41 | Posted by: Lynne Rochau - Baroda, MI

“RemberingJ Jerry during our early Amauter Radio days Great fun togather May the Lord walk with during these days ”
7 of 41 | Posted by: Lynn Clark - Portage, MI

“Deepest sympathies and prayers for your family at this time of loss. ”
8 of 41 | Posted by: Joe Rybarczyk - Stevensville, MI

“OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE TOLSMA FAMILY DURING THIS SAD TIME. JERRY WILL BE MISSED BY MANY.....IT WAS A BLESSING TO KNOW HIM. DIDN'T SEE MUCH OF HIM...Read More »
9 of 41 | Posted by: BOB & CINDY FERNAU - STEVENSVILLE, MI

“Hope you enjoyed that Springfield Armory .22 trainer. We will miss you. ”
10 of 41 | Posted by: Jim Higgins - Holland, MI

“Hi Judy from Lynn Edison, Jerry taught me how to use the computer. He wrote the program we used for the shooting league for which I am forever...Read More »
11 of 41 | Posted by: Lynn Edison - South Bend, , IN

“Doc and Suz - Love to your family. May God bring you comfort during this difficult time. My heart goes out to you. Nanc ”
12 of 41 | Posted by: Nancy Pedde - St. Joseph, MI

“It is a hard loss for our Friday Pizza Hut gang as one of our own will be permanently missing. Jerry will be missed. I worked with him at Heath Co...Read More »
13 of 41 | Posted by: Larry Knapp - St Joseph, MI

“I am sorry to find out about Jerry passing away, had a chance to meet him at our competitive pistol matches. Never have known him to not be in a...Read More »
14 of 41 | Posted by: Peter Meyer - Syracuse, IN

“4th of july - first time Jerry fired off that cannon - loved it. You will be missed. Love ya. ”
15 of 41 | Posted by: Julius Turk - Mount Prospect, IL

“I am saddened to hear of Jerry's passing and I offer my full condolences to Judy and the rest of his family. Jerry was a good man and i will always...Read More »
16 of 41 | Posted by: Matt Turney - Baroda, MI

“So very sorry to hear about Jerry's passing. From the few times we had met the family, he was a smiling, happy young man. We were honored to be able...Read More »
17 of 41 | Posted by: Neil and Kathy - Watervliet, MI

“We are so sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. We will be grieving with you. He was a kind and gentle person and always had a positive outlook. We will...Read More »
18 of 41 | Posted by: Staff @ Dr.Haywards - Bridgman, MI

“Jerry, We will miss you and your visits, and always making us feel special. Judy so sorry for your loss. We hope you will continue to come and see us...Read More »
19 of 41 | Posted by: Nelson Specialties - St. Joesph, MI

“I'm so sorry to here about Jerry. I worked with Jerry from the late 60's to the mid 90's at Heath/Zenith. I offer my most sincere condolence and...Read More »
20 of 41 | Posted by: Robert Wesner - Watervliet, MI

“Judy, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Jerry. We worked together on many projects during our years at Heath. I remember meeting him when...Read More »
21 of 41 | Posted by: Rich Renken - Fairborn, OH

“Sorry to hear about Jerry. I've known him and enjoyed his friendship for over 30 years while involved with competitive shooting activities. He will...Read More »
22 of 41 | Posted by: Tom Hibbs - South Bend, IN

“Thanks for your help at Heath engineering!! I'll always remember hearing your laughter flowing over the walls there!!! May you rest in peace W8 Great...Read More »
23 of 41 | Posted by: Jon White - Three Oaks, MI

“So sorry to hear about Jerry. Both Rich and I were members of Grand Mere Rifle and Pistol team. Jerry has fought a battle the last few months and...Read More »
24 of 41 | Posted by: Pat and Rich Stephen - St. Joseph, MI

“Judy, Your husband made my day whenever he stopped by Baroda Supermart/Baroda Phillips 66 when I worked there. You and your husband are two of the...Read More »
25 of 41 | Posted by: Ann Bohm - Baroda, MI

“Dr. Tolsma & Family - Our sincere sympathy - may God's promises through Jesus keep you strong during this tender time. ”
26 of 41 | Posted by: Michael & Amy Ostrander

“Judy,Duane,& Dawn, We meet Jerry and his family when Jerry and my husband coached Duanes Little League Team......That was many years ago but when...Read More »
27 of 41 | Posted by: Liz Rospierski - Bridgman, MI

“I'm so sorry for your loss. Jerry was a kind and caring person. He always had a smile on his face and a pleasant word. I always enjoyed our...Read More »
28 of 41 | Posted by: Heidi Troxell - Baroda, MI

“Our deepest sympathies and most fervent prayers for your family at this time of loss. "Grandpa" Tolsma was very highly regarded in our family. He...Read More »
29 of 41 | Posted by: Derek, Brenda, Elizabeth, & Bobby Lee Cromwell - MI

“So sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. I was able to reunite with him just before Mom and I moved to Byron Center. I remember him working at my dad's...Read More »
30 of 41 | Posted by: Janice Ogonowski/ Norma Fausak Cupp - MI

“Sorry to hear of his passing. Had a lot of good times at P H S and on transmitter hunts with "Jerry" and Jim Cook. Class of 59. ”
31 of 41 | Posted by: Ronald Boelman - Ridgetop, TN

“Sorry to hear of his passing. Had a lot of good times at P H S and on transmitter hunts with "Jerry" and Jim Cook. Class of 59. ”
32 of 41 | Posted by: Ronald Boelman - Ridgetop, TN

“Jerry, I will miss you. Our Friday breakfast club won't be quite the same. I have so many great memories from when you mentored me in the Heath...Read More »
33 of 41 | Posted by: Mike Krieger - Stevensville, MI

“Dr. T. So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I know that the pain is so deep and seems very overwhelming; but we have a heavenly father...Read More »
34 of 41 | Posted by: Nora Ramirez - Shell , Ecuador, MI

“My sympathies to the family. I have fond memories of Jerry from the two years together at Whirlpool Tech. My God be with you all. Dennis...Read More »
35 of 41 | Posted by: Dennis Stubelt - Moneta, VA

“Gerry was an evaluation engineer during much of the time I worked with him, evaluating many of the products I designed, and later transferred to the...Read More »
36 of 41 | Posted by: Terry Perdue - Kenmore, WA

“Jerry was a kind and giving friend. He was like a younger brother to me. We had much in common. disagreed on some things. I loved him and will miss...Read More »
37 of 41 | Posted by: George F. Mahler - MI

“Duane, Sue, Miranda, Jeremy - May the Lord shower you with comfort and joy knowing that Jerry is now sitting beside him, enjoying the gifts of heaven...Read More »
38 of 41 | Posted by: The Burnett Family - MI

“Thinking of you all, and sending lots of love. Wish we were there, keeping you in our prayers. Love Emma, Glenn, Caleb, Deanna and Spencer Brown. ”
39 of 41 | Posted by: Emma Brown - Niece

“All our love, prayers, and thoughts are with you dear family at this time. It is so hard to be so far away, I would love to be there to give lots...Read More »
40 of 41 | Posted by: Linda Lou Wilson - Sister-in-law

“Sue, Miranda and family, So sorry for your loss. Tom Sabrey ”
41 of 41 | Posted by: Tom Sabrey - Cleveland, OH


Gerald E. "Jerry" Tolsma, 71, of Baroda, passed away, Friday, April 06, 2012 at his home.

Celebration of Life Services will be held 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Gerald Schroer officiating. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Michigan Heart Association. Those wishing to sign Gerald's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Gerald was born June 18, 1940 in Kalamazoo to Glenn & Margaret (Ford) Tolsma. He graduated from Portage Central High School in 1958 and from Whirlpool Tech in Benton Harbor in 1960. On October 22, 1960, he married the former Judy Ann Quarry in Portage. Jerry was employed as an engineer at Heath-Zenith in St. Joseph for thirty-plus years, while working part-time at Fuzzy's Service Station in Stevensville. He was employed for five years at Colonial Tool & Die in Baroda, and retired in 2010 from Nelson Specialties in St. Joseph. Jerry was a member of the Grand Mere Rifle & Pistol Club, and in his spare time enjoyed woodworking, tending to his vegetable garden, and making candles, and was active in Ham Radio.

Jerry is survived by his wife Judy; his children Duane (Suzanne) Tolsma of St. Joseph, Dawn Tolsma of Bridgman; two grandchildren-Miranda & Jeremy Tolsma; his sister Barbara (Ward) Healy of Kalamazoo; sisters-in-law Nancy Kalbfleish of Milwaukee, WI, Linda Wilson of Australia; brother-in-law Larry (Ann) Walters of Comstock, MI; and several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant son Bruce Allen Tolsma in 1971.