Jerry Ray Cairl
Jerry Ray Cairl of Eaton Rapids, passed away on October 16, 2023, at the age of 84. Jerry was born on June 30, 1939, in Wyman, MI to parents Alice (Jennings) Cairl and Walter Cleveland Cairl. He was raised with several siblings, Patricia, Joe, Mike, Tom, and Verona until moving to Perrinton, MI. He graduated from Fulton Middleton in 1958 and soon after married Linda Kay (Duttenhaver) Cairl. They had several children together and moved to the Lansing area where they were both employed. He is preceded in death by wife Linda (Duttenhaver) Cairl and children, Tracy, Randy, Steven, and Alan.
He worked a short period of time in an oil foundry, followed by Pepsi Cola and then finally to his career job of 30 years, at M & M Distributing as a route salesman and warehouse manager.
He married Shirley Jean (Heckard) in 1970 and welcomed her five children to his existing family of three.
They raised their children in Eaton Rapids and then moved to their retirement homestead in Barryton, MI, where he was a member of the Roadrunner Men’s Club and Barryton Methodist Church. They later returned to Eaton Rapids to be closer to family and gain fellowship with others in their prior community.
Jerry loved all things outdoors. He loved to fish, hunt, and watch his garden grow. He enjoyed nurturing the wildlife- feeding birds, deer and even turkey. He was generous with his time, his advice, and beloved stories. He was above all humorous, quick-witted, and kept everyone laughing in life!
He is preceded in death by those mentioned previously and his wife, Shirley (Heckard) Cairl; parents, Alice (Jennings) Cairl and Walter Cairl; and brother, Joe Cairl.
Jerry is survived by his children, Jerilyn (Dan) O’Leary of Alger, Adam (Terri) Cairl of Williamston, Rochelle (Kevin) Caslavka of Holt, Renee’ Sutfin of TN, Stacy (Barb) Sutfin of East Tawas, Roxanne (Charles Ward) Lord of Holt, Steven (Alicia) Sutfin of Dansville; grandchildren, Logan (Andrea Scott) Lyon, Stephanie (Adam) Pikulski, Brandy Bragg, Jessica (James Martin) Lyon, Erin (Austin) Norton, Alison (Taryn) Laverdiere, Michael Lord, Joshua (Jacie Pitchford) Cairl, Jacob (Kylie) Cairl, Shelby (Zac) Pittman, Brittney Daly, Seth Caslavka, Dana Caslavka, James Gibson, and Tyler Sutfin; great grandchildren, Landon Lyon, Isla Lyon, Ruby Lyon, Leyna Lyon, Hudson Pikulski, Killian Loveall, Nora Loveall, Brecken Martin, Lynnlee Norton, Otto Norton, Dori Norton, Dilyn Laverdiere, Ivy Laverdiere, Wells Cairl; siblings, Patricia Zammeron, Mike (Connie) Cairl, Tom (Peg) Cairl, Verona (Keith) Nyquist.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. October 25, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Marty DeBow officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.