Jerome Francis Antekeier's Obituary
Jerome Francis "Jerry" Antekeier, age 90, passed away Monday, October 24, 2022. He was born in Muskegon, Michigan on October 15, 1932 to Arnold & Alberta (Dion) Antekeier and graduated from St. Jean's High School in 1950 and later served his country in the US Naval Reserves during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A natural born salesman and entrepreneur Jerry established two companies, ArJers Clothing and Mail Plus Shipping Company. He spent the first 48 years of his life in Muskegon and the remaining years in Clearwater, Largo and Boynton Beach, Florida. In Muskegon, Jerry was a member of the Old News Boys, Breakfast Optimist Club, Muskegon Elks, the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce, and a past president of the Muskegon and Michigan Retailers Association. He also served on the city commission for Roosevelt Park. In Florida he belonged to the Bellaire Kiwanis Club, Moose Lodge Seminole #787, Largo Elks Lodge #2159, Largo Chamber of Commerce and volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul's soup kitchen and thrift store in Clearwater. Jerry was greatly known for his fundraising abilities and produced several successful golf tournaments for the Largo Chamber of Commerce. He was a devout Catholic and served as a Deacon in Muskegon and at St. Cecilia's in Clearwater. Jerry was also the main organizer of the first All Michigan Catholic Charismatic Conference held in Muskegon. Survivors include 3 sons, Kirk (Barbara) Antekeier of Norton Shores, MI, Kristopher Antekeier of Los Angeles, CA, Kip (Rebecca) Antekeier of Spring Lake, MI; 2 daughters, Kimberly Langevin of Boynton Beach, FL, Kelly (Ed Pasha) Antekeier of Arlington VA; foster son Michael (Krista) Portincasa of Wilmington, DE; 9 grandchildren, Rachael, AlexaRae, Kendall, Merelise, Elena, Margaret, Shea-Geneau, Alexandra, Gabrielle; 4 great-grandchildren, Teddy, Elle, Nora, Blair; 2 brothers, Rev. Charles Antekeier, Gerard (Mary Katherine) Antekeier; 3 sisters, Paula Bostrom, Delores (Ted Kusmierz) Antekeier, Virginia (Jim) Wier; sisters-in-law, Susan Antekeier and Joanne Antekeier. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Aunt Therese LeMieux, his siblings Ronald, Kurt Wolfgang, Andrew, Merelise, Bernadett, Martha, Lucy. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12:00 PM Monday, October 31, 2022 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church (2929 McCracken Street) with Fr. Charles Hall presiding. Visitation will be held 4-7 PM Sunday in the Main Church of St. Francis de Sales where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM Sunday evening. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the Mass on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Jerome F. Antekeier Scholarship Fund at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. Arrangements handled by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Sign the online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com
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