Gerald “Jerry” Delmar Peltz, age 68, of 721 Minneapolis Avenue; Gladstone died Friday evening, August 31st, 2007, at home following a 23 year illness of living with prostate cancer.
Jerry was born March 1st, 1939 in Rogers City, Michigan, the son of Emil and Adelia (Bruder) Peltz and was raised in Rogers City. After attending St. John Lutheran School and graduating from Rogers City High School in 1957, he received his Wildlife Management Degree from Michigan State University in 1961.
His employment with the State of Michigan began by working with the State Highway Department in Saginaw for 4 years, then to the Escanaba Highway Office for 2 years, later relocating to the Lansing Office for 1 year.
Jerry subsequently returned to Delta County where he was engaged in sales and appraisals for “Art Goulais Real Estate” from 1968-1974.
Afterward, Jerry formed a partnership lasting 31 years with Elmer “Bud” Bessonen and established “Heritage Real Estate” in Escanaba, which became “Appraisal Services”.
In 2003, Jerry retired, selling his interest in the business to “Bud”. He continued consulting for Appraisal Services.
He was united in marriage to the former Barbara L. Hale in 1967 and she preceded him in death January 11th, 1999. On January 6th, 2002 he married the former Patricia J. Larson and she survives.
Jerry Peltz is a 40 year member of the First Lutheran Church of Gladstone, serving on the Church Council for twelve years, in various capacities including president, secretary, and as an active member. He was a faithful choir member for many years, reflecting his lifelong love of music. In addition, he was a dedicated member of “Ducks Unlimited” for over 20 years. He served as a local committee member, proceeding through ranks as Local, District, and State Chairman and also named as a National Trustee. His civic activities included a15 year membership in the “Gladstone Rotary Club”, serving as president and secretary. Jerry highly valued education and was willing to serve as a board member and President on the Gladstone Area School Board for 9 years. Jerry emceed local ice shows and was fondly nicknamed the “Voice”.
He was an avid duck decoy and duck artwork collector and an accomplished artisan in his own right. He enjoyed photography, acrylic painting, taxidermy, and wood-carving. For 55 years, he was an avid hunter of waterfowl, grouse, and woodcock, and had the opportunity to travel to Canada and Arkansas in pursuit of his birding passion. He enjoyed 15 wilderness canoe trips into Canada, Northern Minnesota, and Northern Michigan, with canoe partners Gary Larson, and Gary Carr. Camping was one of his favorite past-times, as well, relishing the time spent at his camp on the Sturgeon River.
He trained 5 Labrador Retrievers for duck and bird hunting, and leaves behind his beloved dogs “Kate” and “Rocky”. As a lifelong fly fisherman, he enjoyed 3 trips to Bozeman and Ennis, Montana, fulfilling his goal of fishing the Madison River. Jerry believed that his wildlife training inspired his life work, enabling him to train his dogs, and achieve his goals. Observing caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears in Alaska was a highlight for him.
Jerry was proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed sharing his love and knowledge of nature with them.
The “Donut Connection” in Escanaba became his favorite gathering place, providing him with coffee, confection, and more importantly conversation and camaraderie with “The Guys”.
In addition to his wife, Pat, Jerry Peltz leaves to survive
2 Daughters-
Laurel (Chris) Hopper of Kalamazoo, Michigan
Elizabeth (Bill) Richardson of Bentonville, Arkansas
Pat’s Children-
David (Kelly) Larson of Grosse Pointe, MI
Jane(Steve) Grimes of Royal Oak, MI
2 Brothers-
Mike (Barbara) Peltz of Rogers City, MI
Donald (Barbara) Peltz of South Haven, MI
1 Brother-in-Law
Chester Brown of Onaway, MI
3 Sisters-in-Law-
Betsy(Robert) Salonen, of Crystal Falls, Michigan
Mary Hale, of Gladstone
Phyllis Peltz of Rogers city, MI
4 Grandchildren-
Colin, Cameron, and Emily Hopper and Lexi DeLeon
He was “Mr. Jerry” to Ian and Lorna Grimes, and Kate and Audrey Larson
and by several nieces and nephews
In addition to his parents and his first wife, Barbara, Jerry was preceded in death by a sister, Elaine Tulgetske Brown , and a brother, Wallace Peltz.
The family of Gerald D. Peltz will receive friends on Thursday at the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services celebrating Jerry’ life will follow at 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the First Lutheran Church with Rev. Jonathan Schmidt officiating. Luncheon will follow services in the church fellowship hall. The family respectfully requests memorials be directed to the First Lutheran Church Designated Public Address System or O.S.F. Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the First Lutheran Church or at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County who are assisting the Peltz family.
