Melvin "Mel" J. Gerard Sr.

Melvin J. Gerard Sr. "Mel" Kawkawlin, Michigan Mr. Gerard passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, November 11, 2015 at Sheffield Bay with his loving family at his side. Age 90 years. The son of the late Raymond J. and Anna C. (LaRouche) Gerard was born March 8, 1925 in Bay City and has resided in this area all of his life. Mel attended Visitation and St. Joseph Catholic Schools, he proudly served his country in the United States Army, 296th Combat Engineer Battalion, serving from Omaha Beach to Berlin. Mel continued his career as a long time truck driver and was a former member of the Teamsters Local # 486. He was the owner & general manager of Liquid Calcium Chloride Sales, Inc., Asphalt Concrete Services, Inc. and principal of Bay Transportation, Inc. Other memberships include private and professional associations; Linwood VFW, a longtime member of the Linwood and Bay City Lions Club, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, President of the Industrial Employers Association of Michigan, Michigan Trucking Association, Michigan Ready Mix Association, Bay City Country Club, Kingsway Country Club in Port Charlotte, Florida. Left behind to cherish his memories are four sons and three daughters-in-law; Timothy Gerard, Rodney (Alice) Gerard, Tyler (Pamela) Gerard, Patrick Gerard (Denise Mccullough) and Connie Gerard, two daughters and two sons-in-law; Julie (Christopher) Kruskie-Zywicki and Melanie (Glenn) Gerard-Brenton, twelve grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, three sisters and three brothers-in-law; Threasa (Richard) Munly, Margo (Lance) Krager, Lorraine Hill and Robert MacLeod and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sons; Randall Gerard and Melvin J. Gerard Jr., two brothers and two sisters-in-law; Raymond (Alfreda) Gerard, Lawrence (Jeannie) Gerard, one sister; Audrey MacLeod and one brother-in-law; Chester Hill. At the request of Mr. Gerard a private Celebration of Life Service took place Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Officiating was Rev. Charles Campbell with inurnment in Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin, Michigan under the auspices of the United States Army and the Bay County Veterans Council. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial to The Bay City Lions Club or Wellspring Lutheran Services.