Jerald "Jerry" Bovee

Jerald "Jerry" Bovee age 81, of Ithaca, MI passed away Thursday, February 9, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family.

Jerry was born in Lansing, MI on June 11, 1935 the son of Kylie and Frances L. (Brink) Bovee. He graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1953 and attended Michigan State University where he met Judy. Jerry and Judith Ann Waterous were married on September 17, 1960 at South Mundy United Methodist Church and were married 57 years.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army with the Peace Keeping Forces in Korea following the Korean War.  Jerry founded Bovee Electric, Inc. in 1963 and it is still operating today as the Bovee Branch of Pyramid Control, Inc. He was an avid wood carver. Jerry was also an accomplished hammered dulcimer musician and a founding member of the "Just for Fun Dulcimer Club". He loved to see the countryside, traveling in his motor home, and spending time on Blue Gill Lake in Harrison, MI at the cottage which he built with his father. Jerry was a lifetime member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge #123.

Jerry is survived by his wife Judy, daughters: Julie Hill (Darius Archer) of San Jose, CA, and Janet (Barry) Chaffin of Monte Sereno, CA; sons: Jerry (Barbara Yacobellis) Bovee of Wilmington, DE, and Jeff (Jennifer) Bovee of Sterling, IL. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Jessica, Jacqueline, and Josephine Bovee, Wesley and Miles Chaffin; sister Marion May and special niece Trina May. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Harold Hill, half-brother Kylie Bovee, and half-sister Pauline Smithkey.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Contributions in Jerry's memory may be made to Gratiot County Commission on Aging or Masonic Pathways. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.