Gerald Hamelink

Gerald G. Hamelink (aka Jer, Smokey), age 84, of Nevins Lake, Stanton, originally of Grand Ledge, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at home, in his lazy boy, under the loving care of his family. The son of Harold Gail & Ruth Alice (Retzloff) Hamelink, he was born on September 20, 1936 in Lansing. He attended Eastern High School and later enlisted in the United States Army, serving during the Cold War period after the end of the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged. On March 26, 1964, in Lansing, he married Mary Endres and together they enjoyed close to 60 years together. They were best buddies and did everything together; enjoying the many years of Saturday grocery shopping, softball games, post-game parties, dart tournaments, golf league (with all the saints), and Waylon, Willie, and the Boys. Later in life, he was involved in the American Legion in Stanton, Michigan, where he made many friends, was the Sergeant of Arms, volunteered for many projects, and put his carpentry skills to work building a most beautiful bar. Jerry retired from General Motors after, in his words "forever" where he worked as a carpenter and display builder in Exhibit and Display. He was an avid softball player, throughout his life, and in his earlier years was quite the woodworker, a talent that was passed on to his sons, as well as fishing and hunting. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson Matthew Hamelink; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Surviving are his wife, Mary Hamelink; their children, Scott (Lori) Hamelink, Brett (Gee) Hamelink, Tammy (Jim Siegrist) Hamelink, and Mark Hamelink; his brother Doug (Shelly) Hamelink ; grandchildren Kelli (Zack) Vansetters, Patrick Hamelink, Alyssa (Evan) Grudner, Lamar (Sam) Hamelink, and Emma Hamelink; his great-grandchildren, Zeke, Oakland, Miles, and soon to be Emiline Grace. Jerry was the first male Hamelink to live long enough to see his kids graduate, marry, and have children. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, (616) 754-5638, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Hamelink, please visit our flower store.