Jeri Spitzer
May 2nd, 1945 - April 11th, 2023
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Jeri's Obituary
Jeri Jo Spitzer, 77, of St. Joseph, Michigan passed away after complications from her long battle with pancreatic cancer on April 11, 2023. A visitation will be held Monday, April 17, 2023 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd, St Joseph. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 914 Lane Dr, St Joseph with The Reverend Karen Joy Kelly officiating. Committal will follow immediately after the service at Riverview Cemetery, St Joseph before returning to the church for a light luncheon.
Jeri was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on May 2, 1945 to Marjorie and Vern Spitzer. She had one sister, Rhonda-Marie Davis.
Jeri graduated with a degree in social work from Ferris State University. She used that degree to become an adult social worker for the State of Michigan, advocating for the senior community in Berrien County for several years before her retirement. Jeri always had a compassionate heart for others and was her mother’s caregiver until her passing in 2012. Throughout her life, Jeri was incredibly involved with her community, being a member of countless organizations and groups including: St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Daughters of the King, Berrien County Sportsman’s Club, Sarett Nature Center, Fernwood Nature Center, Friends of the Library, South Shore Health & Racquet Club and many more across Berrien County. Jeri always yearned to be outdoors which was exemplified in her dedication to gardening and her love of fishing. Jeri even became a Master Gardener and put her extensive knowledge to use each year by taking charge of her church’s garden and grounds where she planted flowers and vegetables.
The last year proved to be a difficult journey for Jeri. While battling cancer, she also survived a house fire in December of 2022. Jeri spent her last several months living at the Tru Hilton hotel, where she was met with a lot of love from her new extended family. She spent hours soaking in the pool and never missed a moment to chat with the staff. The family is incredibly thankful for their hospitality and care during such a tough time in Jeri’s life.
Jeri is survived by her nephews and niece, Blair (Annie) Davis, David (Suzanne) Davis, and Laura-Lynn (Erin) Hart; cousins, Judy (Mike) Farah, Dick (Ginger) Fryer, Bonnie (Dan) Cuson, Trudi (Tom) Neil, Connie (Walt) Helminski, Bob (Dai) Fryer, George & William Longfellow and Darlene (Roger) Adamczyk; lifelong friend, Ruth Ann Williams; great-nieces and nephews, Tiffany (Josh) Kyncl, Angela (Matt) Beilman, Jamie Myers, Jonathan Davis, Dustin (Victoria) Hart, Brieana Commons, Britney (Patrick) Isaacs, Brooklynn Marshall, Brooke, Bailey and Brady Hart. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister and her fiancé, Don Terrill.
Jeri was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on May 2, 1945 to Marjorie and Vern Spitzer. She had one sister, Rhonda-Marie Davis.
Jeri graduated with a degree in social work from Ferris State University. She used that degree to become an adult social worker for the State of Michigan, advocating for the senior community in Berrien County for several years before her retirement. Jeri always had a compassionate heart for others and was her mother’s caregiver until her passing in 2012. Throughout her life, Jeri was incredibly involved with her community, being a member of countless organizations and groups including: St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Daughters of the King, Berrien County Sportsman’s Club, Sarett Nature Center, Fernwood Nature Center, Friends of the Library, South Shore Health & Racquet Club and many more across Berrien County. Jeri always yearned to be outdoors which was exemplified in her dedication to gardening and her love of fishing. Jeri even became a Master Gardener and put her extensive knowledge to use each year by taking charge of her church’s garden and grounds where she planted flowers and vegetables.
The last year proved to be a difficult journey for Jeri. While battling cancer, she also survived a house fire in December of 2022. Jeri spent her last several months living at the Tru Hilton hotel, where she was met with a lot of love from her new extended family. She spent hours soaking in the pool and never missed a moment to chat with the staff. The family is incredibly thankful for their hospitality and care during such a tough time in Jeri’s life.
Jeri is survived by her nephews and niece, Blair (Annie) Davis, David (Suzanne) Davis, and Laura-Lynn (Erin) Hart; cousins, Judy (Mike) Farah, Dick (Ginger) Fryer, Bonnie (Dan) Cuson, Trudi (Tom) Neil, Connie (Walt) Helminski, Bob (Dai) Fryer, George & William Longfellow and Darlene (Roger) Adamczyk; lifelong friend, Ruth Ann Williams; great-nieces and nephews, Tiffany (Josh) Kyncl, Angela (Matt) Beilman, Jamie Myers, Jonathan Davis, Dustin (Victoria) Hart, Brieana Commons, Britney (Patrick) Isaacs, Brooklynn Marshall, Brooke, Bailey and Brady Hart. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister and her fiancé, Don Terrill.
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