Died July 24, 2015

EMPIRE — Jerome "Jerry" Allen Hodge, 83, of Empire, passed away Friday, July 24, 2015.
Jerry was born at home on Dorsey Road in Empire on March 23, 1932. He was the son of the late Charles and Helen (Dorsey) Hodge. He married Beatrice June Watson on June 4, 1955. Together they raised three wonderful daughters.

Jerry honorably served our country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. When he returned he attended Michigan State University. Jerry worked as a foreman for many years for the Michigan Department of Transportation. He was a member of the Masonic Order, the Shriners, a founding member of the Empire Lions Club, a member of the American Legion and the AMVETS. Jerry was a volunteer for the Edwards SAPIEN heart valve replacement procedure at the University of Michigan. The experimental procedure was instrumental for FDA approval within the United States.

In his spare time, he enjoyed ice fishing, hunting and dancing with Bea. He agreed with Frank Sinatra, "I did it my way." Most importantly Jerry loved his family. He was a very proud husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His sarcastic, funny and loving personality will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.

Surviving Jerry is his wife Beatrice of 60 years; daughters, Lori Nash of Empire, Karen (Russ) Greenleaf of Luther, Ruth (Ed) Lyons of Sand Creek; grandchildren, Andrew (Carrie) Joynt, Jami Nash, Elizabeth Hinkley, Rob (Kenzi Smith) Hinkley, Aleta Lyons, Jake Lyons, Noah Lyons, Jennifer (Todd) Piggott, Byron (Nikki) Greenleaf; great-grandchildren, Cole, Matthew, Eva and one on the way; sister-in-laws, Zelda and Margaret Hodge, and many other loving family members and friends.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Aleta (Warren) Aylsworth, Charles Hodge and John Hodge.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 27, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will take place also at the funeral home at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the University of Michigan Aortic Disease Clinic.

Kindly share thoughts and memories at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.