Cover photo for Jerry L. Kruithoff's Obituary
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Jerry

Jerry L. Kruithoff

Jerry passed away Monday, August 24, 2020 at his home in Otsego surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 16, 1942 in Allegan, the youngest son of John and Margaret (Clawson) Kruithoff. Jerry worked for Rockwell International for 24 years and for 10 years at IMCS in Holland. He had a very giving heart and enjoyed baking over 3500 cinnamon rolls and delivering them around town, to dialysis units for employees, businesses, neighbors and anyone out on the street on Christmas morning. Jerry liked doing projects with his friends and helping others with home and car repairs.

He was the president of the Bayberry Condo Association. Jerry was a member of the Otsego United Methodist Church where he was a trustee. On June 30, 1962 he married Betty Arnsman who passed away in 1989. On August 26, 1989 he married Joyce Johnson who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Karinda Holland, Lori (Chris) Niffenegger, Chad (Anne) Kruithoff and Scott (Heather) Kruithoff; step-children, Jennifer (Scott) Miller, David (Stacey) Clark and Jessica Clark; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Kathryn and Caleb Holland, Jacob (Susan) and Lindsey Niffenegger, Calvin and Hayden Kruithoff, Morgan, Emma and Owen Kruithoff, Josh (Dee) and Megan Miller, Mackenzie Clark, Celina (Andrew) Wamser and Clay (Skyla) and Christian Clark; great-grandchildren, Lucas and  Landen Ewing, Andrew and Adaline Wamser and Sigfried Skiles along with his brothers, Gerald and Ronald Kruithoff.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Betty.

Friends may visit with Jerry’s family starting at 9:30 A.M., Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Dix Street entrance of Bayberry Condo Association until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.

Please feel free to bring a lawn chair.

Those attending are encouraged to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

A time of fellowship will follow the service.

Private family burial will take place at Hudson Corners Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Jerry may be made to

Christian Neighbors

or

Clean Water for the World

.

Messages of condolence may be posted at

www.WinkelFuneralHome.com

.

Offer Condolence for the family of Jerry L. Kruithoff

Condolence Messages

Amanda Case

August 24, 2020 at 7:26 pm

Joyce I’m sorry to hear of your beloved passing. He was a kind man. Always took the time to say hello and show me kindness when I worked in your neighborhood ❤️

Reply

Charles Morehouse

August 24, 2020 at 8:24 pm

We will miss an old friend

Reply

Patti Hewitt

August 25, 2020 at 11:18 am

My heart goes out to you Joyce (and family) in the long and rocky road of appointments and treatments that Jerry bravely fought and endured. Heartbreaking. You will never regret all the times you were there for him, it gave him solace and peace. Take time to be kind & gentle with yourselves now, as you have suffered a great loss. My wish for you is to have peace in your hearts, Sincerely,

Reply

Vicki &Bill Bilyk

August 24, 2020 at 8:39 pm

Joyce, Dave, Jenny and Jessica, we’re so sorry for your loss. I know it’s been a long time but know you’re in our thoughts and prayers. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know. God bless and take care.

Reply

Bonnie and Harry Miller

August 24, 2020 at 9:00 pm

Joyce and family, sorry to hear of Jerrys passing, He really is in a better place I know you will miss him, your loving family will always be by your side. Prayers for your family

Reply

Alice Comai

August 24, 2020 at 9:08 pm

Joyce and family , Jerry will be missed. I loved working with him. Loved his smile and he was so sweet. I will miss him but he is in a better place. Free of pain. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Reply

Bryon and Kandy Campbell

August 24, 2020 at 9:30 pm

We are so sadden to hear of Jerry’s passing! Our hearts and prayers are with you. As a recipient of many Christmas morning cinnamon rolls you knew how big Jerry and Joyce’s hearts were. We know our sons will never forget those rolls on Christmas morning! Your ministry blessed so many people and we are grateful to have been apart of that.

Reply

Kitty arnsman

August 24, 2020 at 9:39 pm

Sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family

Reply

Bruce Gilman

August 24, 2020 at 9:42 pm

Joyce and Family, Jerry and I became friends while he worked at IMCS. Our relationship was much more than a supplier/customer. We became friends because of our mutual priorities of faith, family and a mutual effort to provide a very dependable product for IMCS customers. I’m very sorry for your loss.

Reply

Merlin Arnsman

August 24, 2020 at 9:45 pm

Uncle Jerry was a special person who I considered a friend. The world has lost another good one. Prayers and condolences to the family.

Reply

Pamela (Kruithoff) Todd

August 24, 2020 at 10:33 pm

I know Uncle Jerry is with Jesus and am so thankful he doesn’t have to suffer. Although you will feel a great loss, he is handing out cinnamon rolls in heaven and hugging my brothers, his nephews. Praying for you all during this hard time.

Reply

Jayne Stamurs

August 24, 2020 at 11:16 pm

Joyce and family, I am saddened to hear of Jerry’s passing. However, I know he is suffering no more. My heart felt sympathy to you and your family. May you be surrounded by God’s loving arms during this difficult time!

Reply

Nancy Moorlag

August 25, 2020 at 5:33 am

Joyce, we are saddened by your loss. Praying for you and yours. May God comfort you all. From Andrew Fritz’s grandparents Nancy and Wayne Moorlag.

Reply

Cindi Laws

August 25, 2020 at 6:37 am

Joyce and family, I am so sorry for your loss, we as friends have lost a great man and God has received a great Angel. May you find peace that he is no longer suffering and has gone to the Lord, God Bless you all.

Reply

Judith Hiemstra-Bronson

August 25, 2020 at 6:42 am

So very sorry for your loss.

Reply

Doreen Dendel

August 25, 2020 at 8:13 am

Goodbye for now, dear friend. We will see you again someday. Thank you for your faithful service to God and to those around you. Your kind and giving heart will not be forgotten.

Dear Joyce and family…May you find peace and comfort in your cherished memories with this dear man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love…Eric and Doreen Dendel

Reply

Joyce Newton

August 25, 2020 at 9:03 am

Joyce so sorry to here this, prays for you

Reply

Josephine Pape

August 25, 2020 at 9:36 am

Joyce and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. What a fighter he was! God has gained another Angel.

May God give you comfort and peace during this time. He truly was a good and faithful servant, whose memories will not be forgotten.

Josephine Pape

Reply

Kevin, Kathy & Faith Sparks

August 25, 2020 at 10:18 am

We are sad to hear of Jerry’s passing! Our hearts and prayers are with you Joyce & your family. We have enjoyed many cinnamon rolls and always known what big hearts Jerry and Joyce had. Your ministry blessed so many people and we are grateful to have been apart of that. You are deeply loved!

Reply

Dave Selent.

August 25, 2020 at 10:26 am

Joyce I am so sorry to learn of the loss of Jerry. We will pray for you and your family in this difficult time.

Reply

Ellyn and Jim Deneau

August 25, 2020 at 11:09 am

Joyce and Family:

I will miss my friend who teased me, helped me, smiled at me, and talked to me.

He was always willing to drop everything and help anyone who needed it. He was

a treasure, and you and Jerry are examples of what a true partnership looks like.

Our Love and prayers are with you at this time.

Love,

Ellyn and Jim Deneau

Reply

Kathi Fuss

August 25, 2020 at 3:25 pm

So sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you ALL❤️

Reply

Marshall Bradley

August 25, 2020 at 4:20 pm

Joyce, sorry to hear about the loss of Jerry. Praying for you and your Family.

Reply

Chuck and Cindy Franko

August 25, 2020 at 5:33 pm

Scott and family sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.

Reply

Diana

August 25, 2020 at 7:00 pm

Joyce and family. Was so sorry to hear about Jerry. He was a very kind and humble and thoughtful man. I remember getting some of those amazing cinnamon rolls. My heart goes out to you Joyce. I know that you will miss Jerry tremendously. Will be praying for you and your family. From an old friend, Diana Love

Reply

Pamela Sebright

August 25, 2020 at 7:48 pm

So sorry to see this…prayers for Jerry’s family. Jerry and Betty babysat my 2 children and we appreciated all their years of love and care.

Dale and Pam Sebright

Reply

Wilma Nunemaker

August 25, 2020 at 8:04 pm

I will miss Jerry’s smiling face, We both worked for Rockwell International and enjoyed working on projects together. My prayers go out to you Joyce, your husband was the best.

Reply

Phil Ellis

August 25, 2020 at 8:23 pm

Sorry for your loss. It had been a long time since I had seen Cousin Jerry, but remember him fondly.

Reply

Brad & Erica Meyers

August 25, 2020 at 9:11 pm

Sending prayers for your family at this hard time. May you find peace that someday you will meet again.

Reply

John and Ellen Zack

August 25, 2020 at 9:26 pm

Our hearts are heavy with the passing of our dear, dear friend. He was a beautiful soul who cared for others and touched so many lives. He will be missed. Joyce, we pray that your beautiful memories give you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Much love and hugs for you.

Reply

Fritz & Linda Spreitzer

August 25, 2020 at 9:33 pm

So Sorry …

Praying that God will wrap His loving arms around each of you and give you His Strength and Comfort .

Fritz and Linda Spreitzer

Reply

Douglas D Duryea

August 26, 2020 at 9:43 am

Jerry was truly a wonderful person always positive and helpful

Reply

Gloria T Meert

August 26, 2020 at 12:01 pm

My sympathy to you, Joyce in the loss of your husband, Jerry. I also send my condolences to Chad and Anne Kruithoff my grandchildren and to Calvin and Hayden.

Reply

Ruth Ellis Winterowd

August 26, 2020 at 1:17 pm

Dear Joyce and all the family. Jerry was a special cousin, and I have fond memories of our days of childhood and through school. I’m praying for comfort and peace for you in your times of grieving. God bless you.

Reply

John and Diane Glessner

August 26, 2020 at 6:11 pm

Dear Joyce,

You have been such a steadfast wife and caregiver to a wonderful husband. Jerry will be missed by so many. He had such a fun sense of humor and was always helping others. May God give you his assurance and strength and the rest you need after such a long fight. Sending our love and hugs,

John and Diane

Reply

Steve/Vicki(Myers) Walma

August 26, 2020 at 6:27 pm

To the Kruithoff family, know that many caring thoughts are with you all during the passing of Jerry

Reply

Dennis & Jenny Todd

August 27, 2020 at 12:01 pm

Jerry was such a giving man! He will be missed by many!! We are holding you all up in our prayers!

Love you all

Reply

Robin Scallan

August 27, 2020 at 12:53 pm

Lori and family, may you find peace in all of the wonderful memories of your father. God bless!!!

Reply

Sally Betzner

August 27, 2020 at 5:35 pm

Sorry for the loss of this very nice man.

Reply

Jeff and Sue Grabber

August 29, 2020 at 9:36 am

So sorry for your loss. Jerry was such a kind man, and a great grandpa too. I know you will all miss him dearly.

Reply

Dianne & Ken Burkhart

August 29, 2020 at 4:28 pm

Joyce and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Reply

Geo & Gail Johnson

August 29, 2020 at 4:37 pm

Dear Joyce & family,

Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to you and the family for the loss of our dear friend. It has been difficult to watch Jerry fight this horrible disease. He fought long and hard to the very end. Now we can rejoice that he is in his heavenly home with Jesus where there is no more suffering, and no more tears.

I worked with Jerry building a ramp for our friend, Rick Shafer. Jerry helped me when we removed our old countertops. We had some rather ugly kitchen fluorescent lights and Jerry cut three new glass panels and etched an attractive design on them. We will remember Jerry every time we look up and see those lights. I helped Jerry over the years with many computer issues. Sometimes I had to drive over to the house and other times I helped him remotely. I began keep track of all of my computer work back in 2007. I was curious as to how many times we had worked together on computer issues…forty-two times in that period. Those were memorable times which I will always remember.

Jerry was an extraordinary man. There are many in the community who will deeply mourn his passing as his was a life of service, love, compassion and excellence. Rest in peace dear friend, until we meet again someday.

Reply

Mary Riggs

September 8, 2020 at 9:33 pm

Joyce,

Sorry to here of Jerry’s passing. We have not seen him in a while.

Mary Ellen Riggs

Reply

Patrick and Ginger Burnham

August 24, 2021 at 12:52 pm

We are saddened to learn of Jerry’s passing. We enjoyed serving with, and worshipping with him at Otsego Church of God for many years.

Reply

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