Michael E. Jarra, age 92, went to be with our Lord Saturday, March 5, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents Elias and Warina; sister, Sister Helene; and brother, Gabriel El Jarra. He was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon and lived in Toronto, Canada for many years prior to settling in Michigan. He began his career with the Railroad industry in Canada and was relocated to Michigan where he remained through retirement, holding various positions.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Marie (Bayram) Jarra; children Eli Jarra (Brenda), Angela Jarra-Wunsch (Richard); grandchildren Rylee and Kayla Jarra and Isaiah Wunsch; and by his sisters Laure, Odette, and Marie.
He was heavily involved with the Catholic Church and service to God was a large focus of his life. He was ordained a deacon in the Chaldean Rite and he spent much of his time devoted to helping people. He was multilingual - fluent in Arabic, English, French, Chaldean, and enjoyed singing and praying in Latin. He loved all God’s creations and one would often find him outside feeding birds and other creatures.
Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022 at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 9408 Wilson Ave. SW, Byron Center. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with burial following Mass. All are invited to a luncheon at the church hall. In honor of Michael and in lieu of flowers, checks may be made out to Marie Jarra to assist with funeral expenses. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresbyron.com.
