Jerome “Jerry” Arnold Weinrich, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Horizon Senior Living in West Branch, MI. He was born on December 25, 1946, in Reed City, MI to Harold and June (Lindner) Weinrich. Jerry lived in West Branch since 1972.
Jerry grew up in Reed City and graduated from Reed City High School in 1965. He attended college at Lake Superior State University and graduated with his bachelor’s degree. He then went on to receive his master’s degree from Iowa State University. While attending school at Iowa State University, his master’s research was on the Adelie Penguin at Hallett Station in Antarctica. In 2000, Jerry again traveled to the Antarctic as a bird guide with Society Expeditions World Cruise.
He was employed as a Wildlife Habitat Biologist for Michigan Department of Natural Resources and retired in 2003. He continued contract work doing aerial surveys of eagle nesting success in lower Michigan until 2020.
Jerry had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed being out in the woods, walking and enjoying nature, picking mushrooms, listening to spring peepers, bird watching, hunting, and fishing for brook trout. Jerry camped every summer with his family at the same campground near Traverse City, where he always looked for arrowheads. His respect for and interest in Native American culture led him to flintknapping, a craft he was happy to demonstrate to youth groups and anyone interested.
Jerry was a member of the founding group of the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival and enjoyed taking groups on tours in the warbler area to see the warbler and hear birds singing. He was also a volunteer board member of the Michigan Loon Preservation Association for many years.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Darlene Weinrich; daughter Erin (Jerry) Howard; brother Brian (Kolleen) Weinrich; nephews Adam (DanDan) and Justin; several cousins, and longtime friends Everett Lake and Elaine and Tom Carlson.
He is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Carl and Rose Gustafson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. Lon Cook will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wildlife Recovery Association, 531 S. Coleman Rd., Shepherd, MI 48883 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. www.steuernolmclaren.com
