Obituary of Jerry Wayne Fortner
(Poppa) Jerry Fortner's life began with the literal burst of fireworks on July 4th, 1950, in Monroe, Michigan, the same year of the first Charles Schultz Peanuts comic, where a loaf of bread cost $.22, milk was $.83, and an ice cream cone (usually two scoops) cost a dime. It was the year that birthed McCarthyism, the transistor radio (which he still used), Sputnik, the flight data recorder, the Breath-a-Lyzer, and the hovercraft.
Jerry was the youngest of six siblings, and never let us forget he was the baby of the family. In a small town, your cousins are often your best friends, and Jerry had several. He loved his many cousins, and we often heard stories of their youthful, mischievous antics.
Jerry was well known for his infectious smile, zest for life, and his incredible ability to make people laugh with his Donald Duck impression. He was always the prankster, always good for a laugh. He had a special fondness for babies, and they for him. It was just his nature to be nurturing and kind.
Jerry started his career at Chrysler at the young age of eighteen and dedicated nearly forty years to his craft. He was a union man, a member of UAW Local 869, and both his children were union bred and union fed. He was also a skilled mechanic who loved working on cars and fixing just about anything you put in front of him. In his free time, he enjoyed his Lionel train collection, traveling the United States attending train shows, fixing broken lawn mowers, and taking his kids (and everyone else's) swimming at the public pool, for an ice cream at the dairy, or a hearty lunch anywhere in the Detroit area. Jerry knew all the best places to eat, and they knew him BY NAME and would even ask about his family members. He loved his many dogs over the years, and they shared a mutual admiration for each other.
Monetary items didn’t matter much to Jerry. He lived a simple existence, thankful for what he had. Jerry was all about life experiences and nature. He placed his focus on a few good friends and his family, and he never tried to impress anyone. This was especially true when he drove his cars until they literally fell apart! Things like that just never mattered to Jerry. He was very generous with his time and talents in abundance. And though he was brilliant and mechanically inclined, you could still find him in a garden getting his hands dirty. He loved making bird and squirrel feeders for fun and even made a few furry animal friends over the years.
Jerry was a devoted husband who married the love of his life, Deborah, at seventeen. They were married for forty-six years before Deborah passed away in 2014. Jerry missed her every single day. Together, they raised two successful children, Stacy and Bo.
Jerry was a proud grandfather to Melainey Jane, a recent graduate of Sonoma State University, and Mattie, who currently attends Monroe Middle School. His granddaughters were the light of his life, and he was incredibly proud to be their grandfather. You would often hear his not so humble brags about Mattie and Melainey's latest great achievements. He loved them dearly and deeply.
Jerry was a man of many talents, and there was nothing he could not do. He loved to drive (a trait both of his children and Melainey Jane inherited) and could often be seen at Randazzo's, his favorite
Greektown pastry shop, or at the Eastern Market with Bo. There was not an area that he didn't know by heart in the Detroit Metro area, and he could get you there in record time.
Jerry was the very first call his family made in times of need, and they could always count on him. Jerry will be deeply missed, but his memory will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Jerry Fortner, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 73 on June 6, 2024.
Rest in peace, Poppa. You will forever be the love of our lives.
Friends may gather on Monday; June 17, 2024, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. A Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be held at Merkle’s on Tuesday; June 18, 2024, led by Pastor Roy Southerland, at 11:00am followed by a procession to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, Michigan for interment.
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