Jerry Detwiler

Jerry was born on October 24, 1958 in Greenville, Michigan to Melvin Fredrick Detwiler and Carolyn Rose (Adams) Detwiler. Jerry went on to graduate from Eastern High School and served a term in the Marine Corps living in San Diego at Camp Pendleton where he made many fond memories. As a proud marine he went on to work at the Military Entrance Processing Stations (M.E.P.S.) as a travel agent, shipping future marines to their destinations. In retirement, his only career was being a loving Papa to his grandchildren. While not a religious man, he did believe in God and Heaven, and spent the occasional Sunday with his granddaughter, Evelyn, at the Grand Ledge First Congregational United Church of Christ.

Jerry spent the majority of his life living in Lansing, MI, enjoying local history, Coca-Cola collectibles, and whopper Wednesdays at the local Burger King. He loved to bake and will be remembered for his fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

He is survived by his significant other of 36 years, Leslie Clark Baldwin; his children and stepchildren, Adam (Kelly) Ray Detwiler, Aaron (Lindsay) Kendall Baldwin, and Hannah Rose Detwiler. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Dylan, Cameron, Dakotah, Madison, Phoenix, Hailee, Eloise, and Evelyn. His mother, Carolyn Rose Detwiler, survives him as well as his brother, Martin (Joni Idzkowski) Ray Detwiler; his nieces and nephews, Joshua Detwiler, Angela (Michael) Detwiler Feher, Zeb Stanley, Autumn (Ryan) Stanley Myall, Liam Stanley; and his grand-nieces and nephews, Nathan, Ivy, and Levi, the Dillon family Kelly, Colleen, and their children and grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his grandparents, John Detwiler, Percy and Hildred Clappsaddle, Ray and Anna Adams; his father, Melvin Fredrick Detwiler; his stepmother, Loneita “June” Detwiler, and his sister, Colleen “Jo” Detwiler.

Beyond family, Jerry had many friends and colleagues who will miss him and some waiting for him on the other side: The Watson family Steve, Lori, and their children and grandchildren, Glenn and Lori Knapp, Tim and Mary Sherwood, Deb Perkins and Alton Mizga, Mike and Terry Hartnett, the Leonard family Cass, Terry, and their children and grandchildren, Sosha Knapp and Joshua Allison, the McDevitt family Jack, Tayler, and their children, as well as Mitchell Ackley and his daughter Eleanor, and many others.

A funeral service for Jerry will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with a two-hour prior visitation from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Gorsline Runciman Lansing Chapel, Pastor Joe Robbe officiating, 900 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912. Following the service, Jerry will be laid to rest with full military honors at DeWitt City Cemetery, 780 N Bridge St., DeWitt, MI 48820.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Jerry may be made to Ele's Place, 1145 W Oakland Ave., Lansing, MI 48915, https://www.elesplace.org/