Obituary: Jerry MacFalda, Army Veteran and Father of 3, Taught at Wayne-Westland Schools

Gerald “Jerry” “Mac” Edward MacFalda, 80, of Saline died peacefully at home on Sunday, August 2, 2020.

He was born on May 4, 1940 in Posen, MI to the late Edward Andrew and Rose Mabel (Szczerowski) MacFalda and raised in nearby Rogers City. He attended St. Ignatius grade school and graduated from Rogers City High School.

He volunteered for the U.S. Army and served 3 years in Germany during the Cold War. Upon his return to Michigan, he worked various jobs-- as a deckhand on the Great Lakes ships, in a drop forge factory, as a sheet metal apprentice, as a barkeeper—while he was earning his bachelor’s degree. He graduated from Central Michigan University in 1967.

On August 9, 1969, he married Janet Louise Malone at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Saginaw. After he earned his M.A. from Eastern Michigan University, he began his teaching career at Wayne-Westland Community Schools. During their 51 years of marriage, “Mac” and Janet enjoyed their cottage on Hammond Bay, sailing on Lakes Erie and Huron, woodworking, crossword puzzles, reading and raising their children. He was a parishioner at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Saline.

Jerry is survived by his wife Janet and their children: Anne (Ken) Mleczek of Rochester Hills; Elaine Sines of Tecumseh; Paul (Vanessa) MacFalda of San Marcos, CA; grandchildren Christopher, Maria, and Teresa Sines; Julia and Andrew Mleczek; Matthew, Samantha, and Alexandra MacFalda. He is also survived by his siblings Doris “Meme” Roeske, John (Pam) MacFalda, Joan (Owen) Karsten, and thirteen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Anne Smith; brothers-in-law Daryel Smith and Ernest Roeske; nephew Duane Smith, father and mother-in-law John and Peggy Malone; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial for family and close friends will take place on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Saline, MI. Fr. John Linden as Celebrant. Friends may join the family for a time of visitation at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass at 11:00 A.M. Military Honors will be held under the auspices of the Washtenaw County Veterans Honor Guard. Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines and masks are required. Burial will take place in the St. Casimir Catholic Church Cemetery in Posen, MI, on Friday, August 7, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gerald’s name may be made to St. Andrew Catholic Church, Saline American Legion Post #322, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN. Envelopes will be available at the Church. Those who wish to watch the Mass remotely may do so by visiting the main link: https://youtu.be/kPvYHpJ3bho With a backup link of: https://youtu.be/FGFRplVe3WI To sign Mac’s guestbook, to leave a memory, or for directions please visit www.rbfhsaline.com.

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