Memorial Trees
D
Donnie and Anne Groulx
January 11, 2025
K
Kevin Jackson
January 07, 2025
K
Kelly & Robert Brown
January 06, 2025
Memorial trees planted for:
Jerry Jay Burns
<p>Jerry Jay Burns, age 67, of Gowen, took his final journey home to Heaven unexpectedly after a short battle with Leukemia. He was born in Greenville on December 4, 1957, the son of Jerry M. Burns and Janice L. Peer. After graduating high school, Jerry joined the United States Army. He married his high school friend, Kimberly Gillette, on July 4, 1977. For many years, Jerry had owned and operated Burns Enterprise out of Hill Top Sports in Greenville, where he dealt firearms. He made friends with many of his customers throughout the years. Naturally, Jerry was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He and his wife, Kim, traveled all over the U.S. in their fifth wheel. His favorite place to go when they traveled locally was near his grandparent’s property in Six Lakes and Cadillac. Jerry was passionate about Michigan’s ecosystems and wildlife. He was largely an advocate of QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association) and NWTF (National Wild Turkey Foundation), where he volunteered. Through his business he also supplied many of the firearms used as prizes for their raffles. Although Jerry enjoyed his career and volunteering for QDMA and NWTF he enjoyed family time the most. He loved to have big gatherings with family, friends, and good food. His family was his everything and he loved them dearly. Jerry is survived by his wife of nearly, 48 years, Kimberly Burns; father, Jerry M. Burns; children, Anna (Jamie) Bolthouse, Alicia (Mark) Gleason, and Jayson (Jennifer) Burns; grandchildren, Gabrielle (Tyler) Chaney, Kendra (Nathan) Hayne, Katelin Mansel, Michael Mansel, Samantha (Adam) Nowakowski, Jessica Gleason, Robert Tompkins, Jacob Gildner, Charly Burns, Tori Burns, and Peyton Burns; great grandchildren, Adalynn, Brayden, August, and Sebby; siblings, Deborah (Dennis) Harold, Greg Hauff, Kimberly Hauff; mother and father- in-law, Rose and John Paepke; brothers-in-law, Gary (Stephanie) Gillette, John Paepke Jr., Gale (Kimberly) Paepke, and David (Kasha) Paepke; sisters-in-law, Roxanne (Wayne) Carroll, Chris (John) Scott, and Kandi Paepke; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janice Hauff; step-father, Martin Hauff; grandson, Daniel Gleason; sister Terri Tillen; father-in-law, Melvin Gillette; and sister-in-law and niece, Sarah and Zoey Padgett. Memorial services for Jerry will take place at Hurst Funeral Home on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00 am, with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Visitation will be held between 5:00 and 7:00 pm on Friday, January 10, 2025 at Hurst Funeral Home. For those who wish to make a donation in Jerry’s honor, his family asks that you consider donating blood or make memorial contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.</p>December 4, 1957 - January 2, 202512/04/195701/02/2025
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