Jerome H. Neitzke
Jerome Henry Neitzke, 82, of St. Clair, MI, passed away in his home, surrounded by his family, Sunday June 16, 2024.
Jerome was born at home, May 18, 1942, in Osseo, Town of Hale, to Lyle and Ida Neitzke. He entered the U.S. Air Force prior to completing high school. After his discharge, Jerome completed his high school degree as well as going on to earn multiple associates degrees. He was a career fireman at Selfridge Air National Guard Base from where he retired as Assistant Fire Chief.
Jerome married Barbara Simonson, September 15, 1962, and together they spent the next 57 years raising, loving and nurturing their family, along with running the family business, Michigan Turfpro Inc.
Jerome loved spending his time planning, building and improving things. Everyone knew Papa could fix anything, and if he couldn’t we were SOL. He was adept at building a multitude of projects, from home improvements to welding and building trailers as well as being an able mechanic to keep all his lawn equipment running. He enjoyed spending time with his loving wife, Barbara, and family at their cabin up north, and all the numerous special projects they would undertake together from simple picnic tables to the cabin’s seawall.
He is survived by his three loving children: Randal (Mary) Neitzke, Darrin (Diana) Neitzke, and Michelle Neitzke; eight beloved grandchildren: Michael (Jessica), Ashley, Orrin (Kristin), Katie (Chris), Kyle, Rachel and Ethan Neitzke, and Anna (Benjamin) Haynes; 11 beloved great-grandchildren: Jillian Parker, Kenadi, Keegan, Kameron and Kyrie Quinn, Bradley, Bayleigh, Adelaide, Emerson and Moxie Neitzke, and Bennett Haynes; siblings: Shirley Severson, Donna Linberg, Nancy (Dennis) Lyngen, John (Connie) Neitzke, Dorothy Leque, Betty Neitzke, Jeff (Pam) Neitzke, Jackie (Larry) Ball, and Diane (Mark) Herried; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Arnold (Ruthie) Simonson, Phyllis Linnell, Sonja (Dale) Lyngen, and Annabel Stenberg; and many, many dear nieces and nephews.
Jerome was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; brother, Randy Gene Neitzke; and grandson, Joshua Parker.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Pigeon Creek Cemetery in Pigeon Falls, with military honors conducted by the U.S. Air Force.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are by the Marysville Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit marysvillefuneralhome.com.