Gerald "Jerry" Stypa, age 84, of Manistee, MI died peacefully Wednesday evening October 28, 2015 at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, surrounded by his family. He was born February 21, 1931 in Manistee, son of the late Michael S. & Joanna A. (Luczyk) Stypa. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School with the class of 1949. Gerald married Geraldine P. Oleniczak on May 9, 1953 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2002. He retired from the Michigan National Guard after 40 years of service. During his life long career as a butcher, he had been employed with Kroger's, Jay's and Oleson's Grocery Stores. He always enjoyed the people he served and interacting with them throughout his career, which is the reason he continued working into his late 70's. He was an active member of the Catholic Community of Manistee (St. Joseph Church) and a supporter of Manistee Catholic Central Schools where he was a Past President of the School Board and Band Boosters Association. He was also very active with the Schools Band Boosters Christmas Tree Sales, as well as academic and sports programs.

He is survived by his son, James Stypa of Filer City, MI; 2 daughters & sons-in-law, Carol & Stephen Amor of Okemos, MI and Cindy & Todd Lloyd of Grand Rapids, MI; 7 grandchildren, Keith (Stacy) Jensen, Caitlyn Stypa (Kris Karol), Brittany Amor, Alyssa Lloyd, Brooke Amor, Michael Stypa and Alyson Lloyd; 3 great-grandchildren, Kai, Liam and Maeve Jensen; his sister & brother-in-law, Mary Louise & William Gregory of Stoughton, WI and his brothers-in-law, Robert F. Meyers and Leonard Krusniak both of Manistee, MI. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Jensen; his sisters & his brother-in-law, Rita & John Miller and Constance Krusniak, his niece Rebecca L. Miller, and his sister in-law, Elaine Meyers.

Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 2, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Rev. Richard Schaeffer celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee.

Family and friends will pray the evening vigil service at 8:00 PM Sunday evening at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, where the family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home, on Sunday evening, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

A memorial has been established in Jerry's name for Manistee Catholic Central Schools. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.