Gerald Walter Vredenburg

Gerald Walter Vredenburg, 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 8, 2023, at his home.

Gerald was born July 10, 1935, to the late Walter and Thaida (Wilds) Vredenburg of Ossineke. He married his wife Shirley Truman Vredenburg on September 5, 1959. Gerald was a lifelong member of the Ossineke Methodist Church.

Gerald served in the US Army and completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Then he continued training in Carrier and Repeater School, Signal Corp Communications at Fort Gordon, Missouri. Later he shipped to Darmstadt, Germany. Upon returning, Gerald worked at Huron Portland Cement and LaFarge until his retirement.

Gerald was a generous and loyal father and husband, who loved his family dearly. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an excellent builder. He loved reading books and the Word of God. He also loved to take nature walks and to pick mushrooms and wild blackberries. Another favorite past time of his was to watch football and baseball games, especially the Detroit Tigers.

Gerald went to heaven leaving behind his wife, Shirley; four children: Thomas (Heather) Vredenburg in Tennessee, Ronald in Ossineke, Randy (Susan) Vredenburg in Traverse City, and Karen (Pete) Cole in Presque Isle; eight grandchildren: Erin (Jake) Henderson, Evan Bobola, Renee (Sean) Holloway, Nathan Vredenburg,  Sarah Vredenburg, Megan Vredenburg, Ryan Vredenburg, Erica (Andy) York; great granddaughter, Lucy Henderson. Surviving are two sisters: Dorothy (William) Foster in New China, Michigan, and Verla Keller in Florida; sister-in-law Jeanette Vredenburg and brother-in-law Carl Joy. He will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him.

Gerald was preceded in death by two brothers, Ken Vredenburg, Lyle Vredenburg and 3 sisters, Shirley Burns, Jeannie Joy and Judy Fettes.

Visitation will take place Friday at Bannan Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. and   continuing Saturday at Ossineke United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. until the funeral service at 3 p.m. with Rev. Richard George officiating.

Memorial Donations may be made to Ossineke Methodist Church.