Gerald E. Magle Sr.

11/04/1924

06/16/2019

Memorial Contributions

Bowne Center

United Methodist Church

12051 84th St. SE

Alto, MI 49302

Gerald E. Magle, Sr. (“Jerry”) was born November 4, 1924 at his parents’ farm near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.  He passed away peacefully after a short illness, on June 16, 2019 while in the compassionate care of Faith Hospice Trillium Woods. Gerald was preceded in death by his mother Katherine (Gebauer) Magle, father Reinhardt Magle, 6 brothers and sisters, and stepson, Gordon Bergy.

Gerald graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1942, then worked as a welder for Bay Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay.  He entered the Army in 1945 where he served in Okinawa during WWII as a Tec 3 Staff Sergeant, working in a machine shop maintaining trucks.  After his military service, he moved to Michigan to work for Earle Equipment Company as a diesel mechanic on heavy machinery, primarily Allis Chalmers equipment. Gerald later became a service manager for this company and served in this capacity for years.

He married Florence Nussdorfer in 1951. Of this union are four children; Patricia, Barbara, Mary, and Gerald Jr.

Gerald married Doris (Maier) Bergy November 23, 1985.  In retirement Gerald and Doris traveled extensively with NOMADS to do mission work on building and maintenance projects for at least 10 years (a group they affectionately called “Nice Old Methodists Avoiding Deep Snow”). Gerald was a lifelong worker doing fix-it and woodworking projects for family and friends. He was vigorous and productive until the very last of his days.

He is survived by wife Doris, children Patricia (James) Magle Jones, Barbara (Stephen) Molk, Mary (Tony) Schwacha, and Gerald (Michele) Magle, Jr., Doris’ children Daniel (Annette) Bergy, Thomas (Melodee) Bergy, John Bergy and also Doris’ grandchildren (who know him as grandpa) and great grandchildren; brother, James Magle of Algoma, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Mark (Erica) Jones, Becky (Aaron) Scott, Elizabeth (Ryan) Berke, Michael Barfuss, Alec Schwacha, Kira Schwacha, and Jessica Magle; and great-grandchildren Parker Scott, Marley Scott, and Ingrid Berke.

Services will be held at Bowne Center United Methodist Church, 12051 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302, Saturday, June 22, 2019. Visitation will be at 10:00am with funeral services at 11:00am. Rev. Robert Wright officiating. Interment at Bowne Center Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials to the Bowne Center United Methodist Church.

Sign the Guestbook

5 Responses

  1. A very kind and talented man. I loved his enthusiasm for his woodworking projects! Thinking of the family at this time of loss.

  2. His enthusiasm for nature shaped my life and my career. I want to keep learning my whole life the way he did. I love you, Father. I miss you so much.

  3. Jerry and Michele you have my deepest sympathy as does the rest of your family. I am so sorry I couldnt make the showing or funeral. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  4. I remember Uncle Gerald and used to visit him when we both lived in Michigan. We will remember him and the wonderful person he was. Just sorry nobody told me of his passing

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.