Jerry Alward

Jerry L. Alward, 64, of Ellsworth, died Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Boulder Park Terrace in Charlevoix.

He was born June 6, 1948 in Charlevoix, the son of Maynard and Pearl (DeVries) Alward.

On February 14, 1968 he married Jean Hizelberger in Walled Lake, Michigan, and they made their home in Ellsworth.

Jerry served as Police Chief for the Village of Ellsworth for a number of years and served on the Banks Township Fire Department. He is a former Fire Chief. He served as deputy for the Antrim County Sheriff's Department and later was promoted to detective. They moved to East Jordan in 1987 where they owned and operated the Westbrook Motel. In 1989 Jerry became Police Chief for East Jordan Police Department until his retirement on May 31, 2002.

Jerry was a member of the Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church and served on the consistory.

Jerry was an avid fisherman and deer hunter. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, golfing, and was a fan of NASCAR.

Surviving are his wife Jean; children Jill (Dodd) McDowell of The Villages, FL, Jodi (Keith) VanderSlik of Ellsworth; sisters Polly Strange, Shirley (Chester) Farrell, and Betty Alward all of Ellsworth, brothers William (Sandy) Alward of Ellsworth and Ray Alward of Central Lake; 9 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by a son Jeffrey Alward and sister Donna Heeres.

Friends may call at Hastings Funeral Home in Ellsworth on Thursday, January 24, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 at the Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church with the Rev. Alex D. Snider officiating. Burial will be in Ellsworth Cemetery.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions the family suggests the Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church.