Gerald Bergman

Gerald (Jerry) Mark Bergman was born in St. Paul, MN, April 25, 1941 to Agnes and Earl Bergman. At six weeks of age, the family moved to Kalamazoo, MI. Jerry graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and then attended Western Michigan University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Jerry passed away December 13 in Suttons Bay. Jerry married Dorothy (Dottie) Bunson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo on September 8, 1962. Rumor has it that Ann (Dottie's Mom) met the "nicest young man" while out walking the dog. At the time of his death, they had been married for 56 years. They raised two sons together while living in the Kalamazoo area. Jerry was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was kind, thoughtful and had a great sense of humor, frequently bringing a smile to your face with a clever pun. His family meant everything to him and he was very proud of his two sons, Mark and Michael. Jerry enjoyed his martini's very dry, and was known to make delicious brandy alexanders, grilled whole turkeys on his Weber in snow storms, and could cook a perfectly moist pork tenderloin every time. Jerry had a love of water, boating with his family and cleaning fish his sons caught. He enjoyed besting his boys at Scrabble and playing board, card and dice games with his grandchildren, other family members and his friends. He knew how to fix things too, especially small delicate things and anything that required patience. In 1995, Jerry and Dottie purchased their retirement home in Suttons Bay, MI. He served on the Suttons Bay Planning Commission, was a trustee on the Suttons Bay Township Board, a continuation of his community service in Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County. He also served on the board of Sharecare of Leelanau County. Jerry was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay where he had served on the Church Council and was involved with many church activities. Prior to that Jerry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo where he served on the Church Council as Treasurer. Jerry is survived by his wife, Dottie, sons, Mark (Mindy) of Portage, MI and Michael (Dawn) of Traverse City, grandchildren Riley, AJ, Josh, Chip, Ali, Sarah and Jackson, his sister Gayle (Bob) of Alaska/NC, three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, nine nieces and a nephew. He will be greatly missed by those he love and those who loved him. A memorial service of Jerry will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay, Saturday, December 29 at 11:00 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Suttons Bay, Hospice of Michigan (www.hom.org) or the Alzheimer's Association.