Gerald Arthur Hein's Obituary
Gerald Arthur Hein, Jerry, age 95, went to heaven on January 28, 2025. Jerry was born on March 15, 1929, in Kalamazoo, MI to Clarence Frederick Hein and Laura Lucile (Buckley) Hein.
Jerry had a difficult childhood. During the depression years, he lived on a state farm in Gobles, Michigan, where he credited “Mom” Baxter with forming his character by providing structure, stability, work ethic and love. Later, as an unsupervised youth, he hopped trains and hitchhiked across the country.
He attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School where he played football and excelled in cross-country running. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Hillsdale College.
The Korean War interrupted his studies. He was accepted into the Air Force Russian language immersion program at Syracuse University, and then interpreted intercepted radio transmissions over Russia and North Korea on flights from Adak in the Aleutian Islands. While on leave from the military he married his true love and high school sweetheart, Joanne Bresson, in 1951. They enjoyed 72 years of marriage and raised three children.
Jerry enjoyed sailing with Jo and the kids on Lake Michigan. He was a committed christian who served his church as a deacon and elder, and also as a youth group leader together with Jo. Professionally, his career took him across the country and world, working in sales and purchasing for Stryker, American Seating and Shaw Walker among others.
After retirement, Jerry ran the Boston Marathon twice. He also took up biking and completed the four day DALMAC ride across Michigan. He and Jo moved north to Alden, Michigan, where they hosted many joy-filled times with children and grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his children Mark (Fiona) Hein, Julie Anne Ely, and Molly (Joe) Bishop; grand-children, Nicholas (Brie) Hein, Derek Hein, Laura Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Fuller, Zeke Bishop and Montana Bishop; and great-grandchildren, Kensington and Shane Hein. He is preceded in death by his wife, Joanne, and his sister, Bette Koning. The family will celebrate his life at a later date with a private service. Arrangements are by the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Muskegon, MI 49444. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories with the family at sytsemafh.com.
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