Jeremy J. Droscha
Jeremy James Droscha, born April 27, 1978, went to be with his Lord and Savior, March 5, 2022, passing from the result of injuries sustained in a massive explosion and ensuing house fire. He was a devoted husband and father, and a true hero that rescued his four-year-old daughter from the burning house. His children are his pride, joy and legacy.
Jeremy was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Betty Bergeon; and paternal grandparents, Robert and Phyllis Droscha. Survived by wife, Jessica (Pletz) Droscha; son, Mason Droscha; daughters, Hannah and Aubrey Droscha; mother and father, Denise (Bergeon) and James Droscha; sister, Katie Droscha; and brother-in-law, Andrew Rodgers; many aunts, uncles, cousins, special friends and neighbors.
Jeremy was born in Eaton Rapids, and was raised on the family dairy farm. Attending Charlotte Schools from kindergarten through high school, he graduated with the class of 1996. Jeremy was active in 4H, FFA, and automotive classes, receiving state level awards in drafting and automotive competitions through his high school years.
After receiving a mechanical scholarship from University of Northwestern Ohio, in Lima, Ohio, he completed an associate degree in automotive and diesel technology. Returning to Michigan Jeremy then attended Olivet College, graduating in 2006 with a dual bachelor’s degree in science and history. During his college years he worked at a large farm in Lima, Ohio. Other jobs included being a semi-truck driver for Ryder, five years as a production supervisor for General Motors in Lansing, and for the past seven years Jeremy was a full-time licensed relator with ReMax of Lansing. Jeremy’s career passion was being a full-time farmer, growing hay, beans and corn, and working with his family.
Calvary Baptist Church was the family’s second home. Driving the church van picking up anyone that needed a ride to the Savior was part of the Wednesday night family schedule. He also served as a church Deacon for three years. His special gift was maintaining the church and grounds. Jeremy loved the Lord and was an integral part of his church family.
Serving the community as an Eaton County Fair Board member was also important to him. Working as a team with his fair and farmer friends helping make a safe place for kids to develop life skills, have fun and grow through agriculture, the FFA, and 4H. His favorite part of the fair was the tractor pulling, he worked with the team as one of the tractor pull superintendents for the last twelve years. Jeremy also served 10 years at Eaton and Ingham County as a volunteer sheriff deputy.
The love of his life was his wife, Jessica. Jeremy and Jessica were married for 14 years, together raising three beautiful children Mason, Hannah, and Aubrey. The family worked hard together, and the family played hard together. Rarely, did you see Jeremy without one or all three kids in tow. He enjoyed farming, cutting wood, picking rocks, restoring their 150-year-old farmhouse, growing a huge family garden, and greenhouse. Often, the entire family, grandma and grandpa included, loved to make trips to farm and tractor shows.
Jeremy had an adventurer’s spirit. He mapped unexplored caves in Kentucky, climbed and repelled many mountain sides, and he owned and flew a hot air balloon for the past 12 years. The bonds of the ballooning community run deep. He and Jessica were successful in teaching their kids to race quads, with Hannah and Mason both winning first place trophies at the state level. He also loved pulling his kids on the tube behind his boat at the family lake house.
Jeremy’s life philosophy was, “Do not go where the path may lead . . . Go instead where there is no path and leave the trail behind.”
Friends are encouraged to support Jeremy’s family by sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Charlotte Assembly of God with interment following at Center Eaton Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Calvary Baptist Church or Droscha Family Fund, https://bit.ly/Droscha.