Jerome A. Reder Jr.

Jerome (Jerry) Reder age 73 passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 3, 2021 with his wife and ultimate caregiver Sharon at his side. He passed after a lingering illness of several years. The first-born son of Jerome and Julia (Markel) Reder was born on January 15, 1948 in Bay City, Michigan and has resided in the area his entire life. He married Sharon Blackburn in a blinding snowstorm at Visitation Catholic church on December 28, 1968 and they were blessed with 52 years of marriage.
Jerry is survived by Sharon and 3 children Chris (Anne) Reder, Tamera Reder, and Marc (Rebecca) Reder. He also survived by 4 amazing grandchildren, Logan Reder, Nicole Wolfe, Emily Wolfe, and Joey Wolfe. His siblings who survive him are Joe (Karen) Reder, Jeanine (Bruce) Hair, Julianna Tacey, Joyce Reder (Jeff Sage). Also surviving are his sister and brother-in-law Kayleen (Larry) LaLonde. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Jerome and Julia Reder, and his in laws Alcide and Katherine Blackburn.
Jerry had a love of farming his entire life. He retired after 38 years from Monitor (Michigan) Sugar. He was a welder and beet end foreman for many of those years. His motto was, "no job was too tough for Reder". He was always first to get seed catalogs every year and to get his garden in the ground. He loved the planting part and the harvesting not so much. His love of old farm equipment was made into a hobby of collecting tractor models and he displayed them proudly. He also grew grapes for his homemade wine. He loved the time spent fishing in Canada and was always hoping for one more time back to Lawler lake with the "guys". Jerry loved volunteering as a fireman for Williams' township. Jerry liked to watch TV channels like Discovery, History, and any channel with WWE on it. He used a CB radio and he had the appropriate handle of "Beet top". His grandchildren are going to miss him in their own special way. Jerry's wife Sharon cared for him until the end.
Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Parish on Thursday, October 7, 2021. The Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Robert J. Kelm with committal and rite of burial in Calvary Cemetery, Kawkawlin. Friends may visit at the Gephart Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Reder will be taken to the church to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Memorials may be directed to the wishes of the family or Residential hospice. For online condolences visit www.gephartfuneralhome.com