With gratitude for a life so fully lived, we celebrate the life of Gerard E. “Jerry” Keidel, Jr., who passed away on September 29, 2026, at the age of 86 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in New York on March 17, 1940, Jerry moved to Chicago as a young boy and quickly developed a lifelong love for the city and its sports teams. An avid athlete, he spent much of his childhood playing basketball and baseball in his neighborhood and at school. His passion for sports continued throughout his life and remained one of his greatest joys.

Jerry earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marquette University, where he played basketball and then served as an assistant coach. He later earned a Ph.D. in Education from Michigan State University, preparing for a distinguished career dedicated to public education.

Throughout his professional life, Jerry devoted himself to supporting students, educators, and schools. After beginning his career as a teacher and school counselor in Wisconsin, he transitioned into educational leadership in Michigan. He served as superintendent of the Bridgman and Chesaning School Districts before moving to Muskegon, where he served as superintendent of the Mona Shores School District for 15 years. Continuing his advocacy for educational excellence and leadership across the state, Jerry concluded his career as the Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Administrators.

While attending Marquette University, Jerry met and married the love of his early life, Catherine Marie Manley. During their 22 years of marriage, they raised four children together and faced life’s greatest challenges with faith, resilience, and unwavering devotion to family. After Cathy’s passing, Jerry found love again with Nancy Ellen Lavender and embraced her two children as his own. Together, they shared 39 wonderful years of marriage, building a loving blended family that brought him immense happiness and pride.

Jerry lived life with enthusiasm and gratitude. He loved playing basketball, golfing, reading, dancing, cheering for the Chicago Bears, and spending time with family and friends. Whether on the basketball court, the golf course, or gathered around a table with loved ones, his energy and joy were infectious. He also shared a passion for travel with Nancy. Together they made cherished memories exploring the world.

Jerry will be remembered for his devotion to family, his commitment to public education, his love of learning and adventure, and the warmth, humor, and generosity he shared with everyone fortunate enough to know him. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched as a husband, father, grandfather, educator, mentor, and friend.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Keidel; his sons, Kevin (Kim) Keidel and Steve (Carrie) Keidel; his daughters, Kristin (Brian) Kubas, Laura (John) Hamilton, and Kelly (Gary) DeRuiter; his sister, Lynn (Michael) Gulick; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gerard E. Keidel, Sr.; his mother, Marie Ryba Keidel; his first wife, Catherine Marie (Manley) Keidel; his daughter, Kimberly Marie Keidel; and his sister, Valerie Wescott.

Celebrations of Jerry’s life will be held on Sunday, November 29th, at 2:00 pm at his home in The Villages, Florida, and on Sunday, December 13th, at 1:30 pm, at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church in Muskegon, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .