Gerald Lynn Oberlin
Gerald Lynn Oberlin, age 69, of Rives Junction, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2023, with his loving family by his side at Henry Ford Hospital Jackson. Gerald was born on June 26, 1954, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the son of Warren and Marilyn Oberlin who have preceded him in death. He was a jack of all trades and worked in welding, roofing, and as an auto mechanic. Gerald married his loving wife, Kim, and they shared 39 years of marriage before her passing in 2022. He loved anything outdoors and tinkering with anything with an engine. He merged those passions into his “other wife,” Black Magic, his beloved Dune Buggy, and they spent many hours riding the Michigan sand dunes. He also loved mud bogging, bracket racing, drag racing, and lawn mower racing with Outlaw Raceway. When he felt like slowing down, he enjoyed the quiet of hunting and fishing, watching action movies, and singing his favorite songs (just not very well). In his younger years, he played softball for local teams. Gerald loved to make people laugh and although he enjoyed hearing or telling a good joke, practical jokes were his favorite, and no one was safe from his hijinks. He was an unofficial employee of the Springport C-Store where he held the counter down while chatting and joking with everyone. Gerald was generous and would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was missing the sleeves, and was willing to drop everything to help a friend. Although he was not a hugger, you knew he loved you through his actions. He loved his family, enjoyed family get-togethers, and will be remembered as being a loving husband and great father and grandfather.
Along with his parents and wife, Gerald is preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Sam and Phyllis Gillett, and brother-in-law, Denny (Sandy) Gillett. He is survived by his sons: Jerry (Jessica) Oberlin, Jamie (Sarah) Oberlin, and Patrick (Brandi Fiser) Oberlin; bonus children, Scottie Catt and Lacy Osborn; grandchildren: Breanna (Chris), Brian, Dewey, RiRi, and Wyatt; bonus grandchildren: Dakota, Jayden, and Millie; and great-grandchildren, Baylee and Rylee. Gerald is also survived by his siblings: Terry Porter, Vickie Hamp, Sandy (TJ) Baker, Sharon (Richard) Calkins, Larry (Debbie) Oberlin, and Karen (Steve) Gordon; best friend of 57 years, Stan (Barrie) Latoski; special friends: Natasha (Jason) Haring, Sarah (David) Lightner, and Stan “Bud” Latoski; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services celebrating Gerald’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Springport Bible Church located at 240 Mechanic Street in Springport, Michigan, with Pastor Matt Rhode officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service and a graveside service will follow at the Springport Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2111 University Park Drive, Suite 200, Okemos, MI 48864, or online at act.alz.org. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street/PO Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.