Jerry Van Tassel

A kind and creative soul who encouraged the same creativity in others, Jerry Van Tassel lived a life rich in family and friends. Naturally curious and heart-centered, Jerry welcomed each day as a gift and every person as a friend. He relished any opportunity to learn and, with unwavering confidence and faith in the process, no problem or puzzle was too large or small for Jerry to invest in solving. Jerry was always willing to share his knowledge and talents in the service of others, proving a powerful role model and inspiration for all who were blessed to share time with him. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Jerry will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by those he loved so dearly.

With the rearming of US forces, the strains of the Great Depression began to ease. Americans' incomes grew, and their increased spending further fueled the economy. In the US, the optimism of leaving the depression behind inspired the making of several classic movies, including "Gone with the Wind" and "The Great Dictator." At the same time, the invigorating sounds of Benny Goodman and Count Basie's Jazz filled our homes with hope. Newly invented Nylon stockings were all the rage with women, and FDR was elected for an unprecedented third term. Despite the ominous winds of change blowing in from Europe, the foundation of hope and generosity our nation had firmly rooted itself in as a result of the preceding decade's hardships could not be shaken. It was within this overwhelming feeling of fortitude, generosity, and hope that Jerry was born on October 11.

Jerry's father Francis worked as an insurance adjuster and would often take Jerry on appointments with him. His mother Elaine was a homemaker who made sure Jerry and his older brother Jim were well cared for. From a young age, Jerry loved racing and working on cars, especially Jeeps. He attended Oakwood Middle School and graduated from University High School in 1958. After graduation from U High, he always helped to organize and do the printing for the class reunions.

After attending Western Michigan University for a short time, Jerry chose to enter the workforce. The majority of his working life was at the Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors. He began his career as a real estate photographer, heading the printing operations, where he became very talented at reading upside down. In time, he advanced into the role of Director of the Multiple Listing Service. He also taught math courses for new realtors and was instrumental in the company being the first in Michigan to use computers for real estate.

When Jerry's friend, Mary, set him up on a date with her roommate, he realized Mary was a much better catch. The two began dating and married in 1964. In time, they were delighted to welcome two sons, Bill and Tom, to their family.

A brilliant fabricator, he pre-fabricated everything. He loved the planning process, finding it just as, if not more, fun than the actual project. After building an exacting balsam model, he eventually built a cabin on 80 acres in Big Rapids. The build was one of his greatest sources of pride and joy, and the family enjoyed many happy hours at the cabin. Jerry loved completing restoration projects, too. To his great pleasure, both of his boys developed the ability to fabricate. Jerry also enjoyed how they used his ability to read upside down to play harmless jokes on their friends, and he enthusiastically jumped into the kids' hobbies and made them his own. He helped Mary with her projects too, getting involved with everything from basket making to helping to load the kiln with her pottery, he was really an immense help in her creations.

Jerry was also a self-taught and incredibly gifted machinist who truly enjoyed antique cars and his friends who owned them. His 1966 white Tuxedo Park Jeep was one of his favorite cars, and he also built three Stanley Steamer trucks with friends. One of which went to Jay Leno. For over 20 years, Jerry used his talents to regularly work with the Gilmore Car Museum and was a massive promoter of their Education and Engagement Center. For ten years, he volunteered as a docent at the Gilmore Car Museum until COVID shut everything down; he was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award.

Jerry retired early to enjoy life with Mary. A source of great enjoyment for him was traveling to every state except Hawaii with Mary in their motor home. For over a year, they traveled by RV collecting pins at key destinations and spoons and teacups. The only time Mary was able to get Jerry to church besides when they were married was when she sang a solo of "O Holy Night" on Christmas Eve. He also joined her when she toured Europe with the Kalamazoo Oratorio group. On the first of their five trips to Europe, the first church they visited was built in the 1400s.

Jerry's great curiosity led him to become the family's historian and a voracious reader. Much like his passion and talents for fabrication, he earnestly worked on the family crest. He traced his family back to 1625 and also learned through his research that Sleepy Hollow's character, Katrina Van Tassel, was a family member. He enjoyed the family connection to the Sleepy Hollow Legend and the fair Katrina Van Tassel He also became very invested in the recreations at Colonial Williamsburg. Jerry read more than 500 books a year and amassed a collection of over 4,000 books across various genres in his beloved private library. No matter where they called home, his kids remember that a reading room-library was always a must-have. Another hobby was born once he started tracking the Soo locks Freighters on You-tube and used a guidebook to learn facts about each Freighter.

Jerry enjoyed entertaining friends and family. He and Mary created a home that became the party house, where they hosted annual parties for their family, his clubs, and various friend groups. For over 25 years, Jerry hosted a Christmas party for his car guys. A man of ultra precision, he was known to set the table with precise measurements, making sure the appropriate flatware, placemats, napkins, and all were correctly in place and matched the theme. He and Mary also hosted similarly appointed Sunday dinners for 12. The goal always to fill up the table. He especially thought of those who might be alone.

As we celebrate Jerry's extraordinary life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying Jerry's legacy of curiosity, creativity, and joyful living forward. In each moment we pursue our passions and interests, confidently face challenges, share our gifts and talents with others, give our best efforts to tasks both great and small, gather with loved ones, indulge in dessert or a sweet treat, travel with our beloved, or invest in another interesting book, we keep Jerry's memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Jerry died on December 4, 2025. Surviving are his wife, Mary Van Tassel; children: Bill (Kimberly Korteway) Van Tassel and Tom (Shelly) Van Tassel; grandchildren: Kyle (Ashlee) Van Tassel, Katrina Van Tassel, Andrew Van Tassel, and Katie (Mike) Zinger; great-grandchildren: Zoe Zinger, Dempsey Zinger, and Chester Van Tassel.

Join us at a Life Story Visitation on Friday, December 12, from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. A Life Story Service will be held Saturday, December 13, at 11 AM also at the funeral home. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center. Burial at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the Gilmore Car Museum or Colonial Williamsburg. Celebrate Jerry's life online by sharing favorite stories and photos on his dedicated web page at BetzlerLifeStory.com.