Garry D. Hesser of Gobles, MI passed away Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Rose Arbor Hospice, surrounded by his family. He was born July 21, 1957 in Kalamazoo, the son of Jackie and Violet (Thompson) Hesser. As a young man Garry worked with his father as a painter, for 10 years at Parker Hannifan and most recently was a truck driver for Brookside Farms in Bloomindale. Garry loved to tinker and enjoyed fixing things, especially small engines. He liked woodworking, fishing, camping, Bible study, listening to music and researching on the computer. Garry was a member of Journey Family Church and enjoyed volunteering several days a week and was active with SALT Ministry serving his community. Garry had an infectious laugh and a God given sense of humor that was a blessing to all his family and friends and will never be forgotten. Garry kept himself and his family motivated with his positive outlook on life, even throughout the toughest times.
On August 6, 2011 he married Elizabeth Butts who survives. Also surviving are his children, Josh (Melissa) Hesser of TN and Crystal (Brian) Lawson of Paw Paw; grandchildren, Whitney, Haley and Chase; several great-grandchildren; step-children, Elizabeth (Clint), Lisa (Austin), Amanda (Carmon) and Matthew (Ashley); several step-grandchildren; siblings, Cyndy (Roger) Siebert, Carl Hesser and Theresa (Steve) Borst along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Debra Hesser.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may visit with Garry’s family starting at 10:00 A.M, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Gary Napp officiating. Burial of ashes will take place at St. Margaret Cemetery at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Garry may be made to Journey Family Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Kelly Morgan
Uncle Garry, was a beautiful soul! I have so many memories, he taught me how to drive, B93 bash, watching the 3 stooges. I have so many more. He was the kind of man that would give u the shirt of his back. He will be greatly missed. Love you till I see you again.
Christine Hesser
I will truly miss you.a very special person.i love you very much.i know your with Jesus.no more pain.
Erin shannon
I didn’t know Gary very well but the few times I did get to talk with him he always had a positive outlook on life and Crystal he loved you so much. He thought the world of you. My prayers are with you.
Tammy Kablitz
Crystal, you and your family are in my prayers. May you all find peace and comfort in the coming days. So sorry for your loss.
Theresa Borst
Dedicated to my brother,
I have been remembering special moments growing up- tossing a football with you in the backyard, vacations that Mom and Dad took us on and you fixing my cars. But besides these moments the most important thing that won’t leave my head are the words “Character of Soul.” It keeps repeating over and over in my head since we said “Goodbye” or should I say “Until we meet again” last Thursday.
In so many aspects and challenges that life gave you, you fought each one like a true warrior.
You were a man who was beaten and mugged in Grand Rapids and almost lost your life- you lost your hearing in one ear and your head got bashed in, changing your life forever. We didn’t think you would survive. You did.
Then….
You beat alcoholism,
You fought for your daughter and you took every step needed to have her come home.
You recovered from falling out of a tree helping a neighbor with half of the side of your body was broken.
You conquered the infection from a nail in your foot that took rounds of antibiotics through a port for a long time.
Then you were presented with the Big “C” word- Throat Cancer and you won! You just hit the 5 year mark.
You fought each of these battles like no-other, with a positivity that showed what your character was. Your positivity kept you going. I never heard you complain or blame God, instead you were a warrior. You loved the Lord with all your might and gave of yourself through Salt Ministries in later years. A man who found school hard you went to teaching yourself Hebrew.
This time you lost your battle to Leukemia- unbeknown to us- it reared it’s ugly head and you fought so hard, so hard. Though you lost this battle my dear brother you won the war. The devil comes to steal joy and destroy and you didn’t let him. You fought long and hard through these challenges and now you are in our Heavenly Father’s arms.
“Character of Soul, Character of Soul, Character of Soul” Why does that keep repeating in my head? The character of your soul was integrity, grit, determination, positivity and love. Your kind heartedness and your loud outburst of laughter I will always remember but Knowing the character of your soul I will carry with me all my life.
Until we meet again, sweet brother…..
Marilyn Doubblestein
Amen.
Catherine Wislon Spaine
When we were kids all 9 of us Wislon family And Hesser family grew up together and spent many days at Shermen Lake and in the basements of our houses playing games. May he rest in peace and get to see Deb and his parents again.
Barbara Blanchard
To the Hesser Family. Garry was such a kind, positive person. I met him at Journey Family Church. Awesome laugh, followed by a heartfelt hug. Our Lord has such a love for all of us to find a way to connect; Garry was blessed with that connectivity. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to know Garry’s laugh & kindness. Always had the time to say hello. I can still hear his voice. Such a gift I received from knowing Garry. It happened because of accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior. The Hesser Family are in my prayers.
Karen
Sending my deepest condolences, prayers and hugs to the Hesser family.
I am so sorry for your loss.
What a journey Garry had!
RIP.
Tammy Payne
Deepest Condolences to Garry’s Family and Friend. RIP Garry Hesser