Gerald "Jerry" Evans

Gerald "Jerry" Ernest Evans, 89, of Ellsworth, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Medilodge of Grand Blanc.  He was born on July 27, 1934 to Helen Frencko as Gerald Eugene Frencko in Detroit, MI. He was eagerly adopted by Ernest Evans and J. Alice Evans January 30, 1936 when he became Gerald Ernest Evans in Detroit then moved to East Jordan in 1942.

Jerry graduated from East Jordan High School, soon after he married the love of his life, Sally Ann Brasgalla, May 11, 1954 in Essexville, Michigan, thereafter he enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War, earning the rank of Corporal.  Upon returning to Michigan, he started his family having two children while working at Michigan Bell Telephone Company out of Detroit.  He also worked for REA Cooperative in Boyne City, which is now Great Lakes Energy, as well as for Daverman Associates, where he worked as an inspector of power lines.  Aside from this, he painted homes and trimmed trees on the side, fixed televisions with tubes.

Jerry also kept busy outside of work starting with supporting his son as Cub Scoutmaster then changing leadership roles as his son matured until his son was an Eagle Scout then he retired from Boy Scouting.  

Jerry cared deeply for our society doing his best to make a better world for his family, working with all aspects of the Masonic Lodge serving as Worshipful Master in Boyne City also assisting in many lodges in the area, Shriners and Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.  He also belonged to the American Legion Post 228 out of Boyne City leading the post as Commander where he started Veteran of the Month Program and the annual event Veterans Appreciation Day for area school children.  The children, our future leaders, were and are educated through an interactive display of military uniforms and equipment.  Also, the children interact with representatives from each branch of the military and area public servants with their vehicles. Those programs continue today.  He was in the American Legion, Department of Michigan Membership Committee particularly serving the Native American veterans in northwest Michigan. He enjoyed the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla-26 in Charlevoix teaching and supporting water safety ending up as Treasurer receiving a 50-year award for dedicated volunteer service.  He enjoyed hobbies in his younger days of Model Railroad HO scale, deer hunting, CB Radio, vacationing with his family and showing his family skills in the art of playing pool on their pool table.  Then in later years moving into reading and fighting for patriotic causes, doing as much as he could to leave a better world for his children and grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by two children, Ann Heusted of Atlas, MI, and Ernest (Jackie) Evans of Ellsworth; and his grandson, Paul Evans.

He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Ernest and J. Alice (Kurkee) Evans; birth parent Helen Frencko and his beloved wife, Sally (Brasgalla) Evans and son-in-law Paul Heusted.

Funeral services will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, at the Ellsworth Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at noon.

Arrangements are in the care of the Ellsworth Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com