Gerald Roland Tiemann

Gerald R. Tiemann II of Vestaburg, MI died suddenly on December 7, 2021 at the age of 82 after battling a Covid infection.  Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn (nee Smith); son Scott and his wife Lorayne (grandson Steven); son Gerald III (Jack); son Craig and his wife Kriss (granddaughter Brooke and grandson Cullen); son Michael and his wife Fe (grandsons Ivan, Isaiah, and Carter); brother Fred and his wife Pat; sister Suzanne; brother David and his wife Ann; sister in-law Norene Beach; and brother in-law Carl Smith and wife Carlene.  Jerry was preceded in death by his father Gerald (Jack) Tiemann I, his mother Wilda, and infant son Steven (son Scott's twin brother). Jerry was born October 25, 1939 in Detroit and graduated from Ferndale High School in 1957.  He attended Alma College and met Carolyn at the local Tastee-Freeze ice cream shop where they both worked.  Jerry worked for TRW for more than 34 years at the company's plants in Warren and Portland, Michigan.  He then consulted and worked for other companies in the automotive industry, working full time for the last 12 years with his son Scott at his classic car restoration business, Supercar Specialties, in Portland, Michigan. From the time he was a teenager, Jerry loved music and spent his entire life singing and sharing his musical talents as a member of many singing groups in Michigan.  In 1976 he joined the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), today the Barbershop Harmony Society.  Jerry sang with the Patch Chords and Tunesters Union quartets and the Capitol City Chordsmen Chorus in Lansing and the Gratiot County Midstatesmen Chorus in Alma, entertaining audiences and competing all around the Midwest.  Through the years he was also actively involved with church choirs for the Portland United Methodist Church, Seville Community Church in Elwell, and with the Vestaburg Church of Christ. Jerry was a tireless public servant who loved giving back to the communities where he lived.  He served as a City Councilman in Portland from 1991 to 1999 and then on the Board of Light and Power from 2002-2008.  In April 2008 he began serving on the Portland Township Board of Review and then served as the Portland Township Supervisor from the end of 2008 to 2013.  Most recently Jerry was serving as the current Chairman of the Planning Commission for Richland Township in mid-Michigan.  Until his death, Jerry truly led a life of service to his community. A devoted husband, father, and Christian, Jerry gave freely of his time and talents whenever and wherever needed.  He always placed the needs of his family, friends, and neighbors before his own.  He lived his life unselfishly, taught through his actions, and strived for perfection in everything he ever did…he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at the Vestaburg Church of Christ (7289 Avenue B, Vestaburg, MI 48891) on Tuesday, December 28 at one o'clock in the afternoon.  In-lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vestaburg Church of Christ or a charity of your choice.