Gerald Frederick Stanek

Gerald Frederick Stanek, 94, of Traverse City passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Munson Medical Center. Gerald was born on December 18, 1918 in Traverse City to the late John J. and Gertrude (Heimforth) Stanek. He was raised on the Stanek Homestead in Leelanau County. On October 7, 1939, in Traverse City, he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Evelyn Hicks, who predeceased him on October 12, 1997. A sister, Virginia Woods, also predeceased him.

Gerald graduated from Traverse City High School in 1936. He then attended Alma College until he was drafted to play minor league baseball for the Milwaukee Brewer's. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, Gerald returned to Leelanau County, where he worked on the farm with his Dad. In 1960, he purchased the farm from his Dad and moved his family from Traverse City to the Leelanau County homestead.

Gerald was one of the first cherry farmers to utilize mechanical harvesting in his cherry orchards. In 1969, he built the Stanek and Sons Processing Plant, which was one of the first on-the-farm cherry processing plants in the state of Michigan. He loved working on the farm, and in later years enjoyed driving through the orchards to see the cherries and apples. After retirement and up until two years ago, you could see him on his tractor with his big mower, mowing most of South Leelanau County.

Gerald was one of the founding members of The Great Lakes Cherry Production Board, was a lifetime member of the Michigan State University Horticultural Society and one of the ten founders of the MSU Research Station. Gerald belonged to the Elks Lodge #323 for 69 years, where he was a past Exalted Ruler. He loved to play golf and was a life member of the Traverse City Golf and Country Club, where he was Chairman of the Green Committee for many years. He also served for many years as the Secretary of the Northwest Michigan Harness Racing Association, and was a member of the Knife and Fork Club.

Gerald was an avid sports fan, and never missed watching his family compete in sports, whether on the ski hill, the football field or the golf course. He was a basketball official for the MHSAA and was the first official, who lived north of Grand Rapids to referee a State Final Game.

Surviving are his two sons; John (Pamela) Stanek and Jerry (Pegy) Stanek; four grandsons; Jeff (Charly) Stanek, Joshua (Meagan) Stanek, Nicholas Stanek, and John Stanek; four great-grandchildren; Andie, Colby, Ryan, and Lauryn. Also surviving are two nieces, Linda and Vicky; a nephew, Randy (Joanie) Woods; and cousins, Arlene Weitz and Jean Bensley.

An Elks Memorial Service and gathering will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from Noon-2:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge #323, 625 Bay St., Traverse City, MI 49684. A private committal service took place in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Elks National Foundation, the Wounded Warriors Project, or the Leelanau Conservancy.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Gerald's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.