Jerome K. Sakowicz

Jerome K. Sakowicz, 86 also known as Jerry, Big Jerr or Papa Jerr passed away on February 15 surrounded by his loving family at Bronson Battle Creek.

Jerry was born November 30, 1937, to Leo and Rose (Bardauskas) Sakowicz in Chicago.  His mother passed away when he was one year old.  His dad married Anna and they made their home in Battle Creek in the early fifties.  Jerry attended St. Phillip school and graduated from Battle Creek Central, the class of 1955.  While at Battle Creek Central he was on the wrestling team.  In his senior year, he joined the Michigan Air National Guard.   He was transferred to USAF reserve.   He then moved back to Chicago to work and go to school.  After a year, he returned to Battle Creek and attended KCC.  Jerry got a job at GTW Freight House.  From there, he was offered a job at Union Pump as a precision tool grinder.  In 1963, Jerry was offered a job at Post Cereals as a food scientist in the research department.  Jerry spent 10 years doing research on Log Cabin Syrup which caused him to become the “Syrup King”.  He also had a patent on buttered syrup.  Jerry worked at Post Cereals for 33 years, retiring in 1996.  Jerry was a member of the 25 Year Club at Post and also active in the bowling and golf league.  While at Post, he was on the board of Post Credit Union for 25 years.  He was also on the Springfield planning commission for a number of years and was appointed

to the Springfield City Council.  

Jerry was a “People Person”.  He always said that he “missed “ meeting and talking to people”.  He was very friendly and loved people.  Jerry went to work part time after retirement at Van Horn’s Market, Meijer as a greeter and also Meijer Gas Station.  While at Meijer, he was nominated as “Team Member of the Month”.

Jerry was a big Notre Dame fan and enjoyed watching all their games.  Jerry was known as the “Garage Sale King”.  He always had something special for all his children or grandchildren.   Jerry and Brenda have a lot of precious memories at the family cottage on Wall Lake.  They enjoyed fishing and boating there.  They spent several summers living at the lake house and dad enjoyed reading on the porch and watching the boats go by.  

Jerry married the Love of His Life, Brenda Hayes on April 4, 1959, at St. Jerome Catholic Church.  They were the first full mass wedding at the church.   Together they had five children, Christopher Sakowicz (Stillborn), Lori (Randy) Pufpaff, Lisa (Mike) McMillan, Lynette (Tim) Winstone and Jerome (Cathy) Sakowicz II.  Jerry was “Papa Jerr” to 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  Jerry is also survived by his brother Art (Becky) Sakowicz of Tennessee and his sister Bertie (Ken) Mleczewski of Iowa.  Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and son Christopher.

Our hearts are forever broken but we know you had a full life.  You were a wonderful husband to our mom for almost 65 years and a great and loving daddy and Papa.  Our family will not be the same without you.  Until we meet again, we know you will be the greeter in Heaven.  Save some garage sales for us.  We Love You Dad!

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.