Jerry McCarty, 69

Published 8:41 pm Thursday, September 13, 2012

Jerry McCarty, 69
Born: Dec. 19, 1942
Died: Sept. 12, 2012

McCarty

Jerry B. McCarty, 69, of Niles, passed away at The Center for Hospice Care in Roseland on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, with his wife and family by his side.
Jerry was born Dec. 19, 1942, in Galien to the late Frank and Louise McCarty. Jerry graduated from Galien High School in 1961.

The family lost not only a husband, father and grandfather, but a man who dedicated his life providing the invaluable service of providing water to many of you in the community.  They lost their “Well Man.” He learned his trade from his father, Frank, and in turn passed it on to his two boys. He began his career as a machinist, but quickly realized how much he wanted to be outside, so in 1972 he purchased the business from his father and provided service to people well into his retirement. He was an active member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles, a member of the Three Oaks Spokes Bike Club and of the Monday Night Running Club.  On Feb. 13, 1999, Jerry wed Jean Stillwell.

Jerry was a simple man who enjoyed hiking and biking with his wife, Jean, keeping him fit and healthy until cancer robbed him of what should have been the best years of his life.  Jerry was never known to give up on anything and he held true to that while battling for his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jean; sons, Greg (Ulrike) McCarty and Michael McCarty, both of Buchanan; stepson, Todd Stilwell of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three grandchildren, Lindsey (Brad) Heron, Carsten and Tristen McCarty, all of Buchanan; two step-grandchildren, Nichole Stilwell of Houston, Texas, and Cyndee (David) Wardle of Vista, Calif.; one step-great-grandson, Johnathan Wardle; and one brother, Leonard (Carol) McCarty of Galien.

A memorial service to honor Jerry’s life will be held Monday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation two hours prior. The Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C., will be officiating.
Memorial donations may be made in Jerry’s name to The Center for Hospice Care at 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; Berrien County Cancer Services at 7301 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville, MI 49127; or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com at or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.