Gerald 'Jerry' Webb Whiting

Jerry was born on October 23, 1948 in Lansing to Victor and Martha (Stachel) Whiting. He attended Mt. Hope Elementary, Walter French Junior High and graduated from Everett High School in 1966. He continued his education at Michigan State University earning a degree in Packaging in 1970. After working two years in the Packaging Lab at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio he returned to MSU and earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 1974. Jerry was the consummate Spartan fan attending football, basketball and hockey games for decades. While at MSU he was a member of Theta Delta Chi Fraternity and remained active in the maintenance and care of the house for over 30 years. Jerry became a Licensed Professional Engineer and worked for the State of Michigan for 25 years with theHealth Department and the Department of Management and Budget. He then chose to leave public service and worked for 13 years as a Project Manager for Kares Construction Company.

Jerry left this earth on May 8th to join his Heavenly Father and his father, grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and his brother-in-law James Kirker. Jerry lived life to the fullest and gave everything he did 100%. He worked hard and he played hard and his sense of humor was unparalleled. Jerry was a man of integrity and great intelligence and was respected by his many colleagues and business associates for being fair and honest. He loved participating in all sports and over the years enjoyed bowling, basketball, playing on many softball teams, both fast-pitch and slow-pitch, and his greatest love of all, golf. Additionally he loved spending time with both the Whiting and Payne families at their cottages on Elk Lake in Gladwin.

Jerry’s life took a brutal and unexpected turn in 2009 when he lost a leg due to infection and then experienced many more health challenges which he faced head-on in his usual fashion. The family expresses thanks to the many health care professionals who helped him on his arduous journey, especially Dr. Choo and his staff at Lansing Cardiology.

Jerry was devoted to his family and loved all children, especially his beloved grandchildren, whom he absolutely adored. He is survived by Glenda (Payne), his wife of over 45 years and his children, Marcy (Ken) McFadden of Caledonia, Renee Whiting (Allen) Spiewak and Jeremy Whiting all of Lansing; his blessed grandchildren Makenzie, Jordan, Trevor, Tyler, Kayla and Cole. Also surviving is his mother, Martha; 2 brothers, Douglas (Peg) Whiting of Parma and Roger (Lou Ann) Whiting of Mason; In-laws, Donald and Betty Payne of Laingsburg; Glenda’s siblings, Gayle Kirker of Surprise, AZ, Bryce (Gloria) Payne of Bath, ME and Betsy (Louis) Stadt of Lansing; nieces, Kelly Kirker (husband, Ben Luchsinger), Jessica Payne, Katy (John) Schlueter, Elizabeth Whiting, Mary (Jeff) Oamek; nephews, Louis (Jen) Stadt and Charlie Stadt; also his great-nieces, Avery Stadt and Claire Schlueter and great-nephew, Dylan Luchsinger.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 501 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI. Family will receive friends at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

The family suggests that those interested in making a donation in Jerry’s memory consider, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 501 W. Saginaw St,

Lansing, MI 48933, the church where he was a life-long active member or the Wounded Warrior Project, Operation First Response, 20037 Dove Hill Rd,

Culpeper, VA 22701.