Gerald Wilke (Jerry) Hagerman, 84, of Petoskey entered heaven on February 6, 2023, after a lengthy illness. Jerry was the only child born to Morris and Helen Hagerman in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Austin Catholic High School, Detroit; Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana; and Michigan State University with both a Masters and an Education Specialist degree.

Jerry spent most of his career as an administrator in Warren Woods Public Schools where he advocated for children with special needs before Michigan law required it. He touched many lives with his kindness, humor, and compassion.

Jerry enjoyed Christmas, cooking, cars, World War II history, dancing, northern Michigan, looking out over ‘the bay’, his cats, a good steak, and sometimes politics and golf. Most of all, Jerry loved his devoted wife of almost 50 years, Patricia.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters Kimberly (Steve) Hoenie, Holly (Tom) Price, and Kelly (Mike) Barkume; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by the Bodzick family who treated him like a son and a sibling. He was predeceased by his loving parents, aunts, uncles, many cousins, and friends.

He will be remembered for his intelligence, kindness, humor, one-liners, and most of all, his extraordinary empathy, forgiveness, and insightfulness.

Intensely private, and per his wishes, no services are planned; cremation has taken place. Jerry’s ashes will be spread in his beloved northern Michigan including near his parents in West Branch, Michigan.

Remembrances can be made to the donor’s favorite charity.

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