Jerry Michael "Berf" Fenlon

Jerry “Berf” Michael Fenlon, age 66, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died suddenly December 24, 2017, at his home. Jerry was born September 4, 1951, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Jack Raymond and Marion Jean Smith Fenlon. Jerry grew up in Moran Township and graduated from LaSalle High School in 1969. After high school, Jerry went to Gail Institute (Airline School) and worked at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. On September 11, 1971, Jerry married Susan Sorenson and they decided to move back to St. Ignace and start their family. Jerry went to work for Belonga Plumbing and Heating, where he obtained his master plumbers license. He worked mostly on Mackinac Island. He would ride his bicycle all over the island carrying full lengths of pipe and all of his tools. People would stop what they were doing to watch the balancing act as Jerry pedaled by. After 42 years of serving the communities plumbing needs, Jerry retired in September of 2013. Retirement allowed Jerry to redirect his full time energies to continuing to help people and volunteer for community service projects. He was a hard worker with a serving soul. Jerry belonged to the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was on the church council. He served on the Moran Township Recreation Board and on the Moran Township school board. He was head of the car show parking for more than 20 years. He loved to fish and give them away. He said the “Best day fishing is when you don’t have to clean any when you get home.” He liked to hunt and just go for rides on his 4 wheeler. He and his twin sister Judy were adrenaline junkies and liked to push the limits like there was no tomorrow. He played softball when he was younger and could hit a softball out of the park. He performed in several plays with the play crafters in St. Ignace., but he loved to play with his grandkids the most of all. Jerry is survived by his wife Susan; son, Michael Neil (Rachel Trobridge) Fenlon of Zeeland, Michigan; daughter, Mandy Sue (Matthew) Bowlby of St. Ignace; grandchildren, Jace, Mirra, and Mckale; twin sister Judy (Tom Harrington) Fenlon, of St. Ignace; sisters, Barbara (Tom) Fenlon Alkire of St. Ignace, and Kim (Mike) Wartella of St. Ignace; sisters-in-law, Judith Lynn Ryerse and Linda Lou (Mike) Wilkins of St Ignace; brother-in-law, Gary (Monica) Sorenson of St. Ignace; and brother-in-law, Steven (Carol) Sorenson of Holland, Michigan. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marion Fenlon; and his father and mother-in-law, Neil and Esther Sorenson. Services will be held Saturday, December 30, at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 999 South State Street in St. Ignace, Michigan. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Pastor David J. Tielbar will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made out to the Fenlon family.

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Jerry Michael "Berf" Fenlon

September 4, 1951 - December 24, 2017