Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
HURLEY, Wis. - Jerome "Jerry" George Bolich, age 86, of Hurley, went to his Heavenly home on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the Villa Maria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Jerry was born the son of John and Wanda (Kasper) Bolich on Aug. 25, 1937, at the Newport Hospital in Ironwood. He attended Newport Elementary School and was a 1955 graduate of Luther L. Wright High School. Jerry went on to Michigan Technological University in Houghton majoring in civil engineering. Jerry was drafted and served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonardwood in Missouri, receiving an honorable discharge in 1963.
In July 1967, Jerry was united in marriage with Joan Tilton-Zeleski at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. He was employed throughout his working years at North Range Mining Company, Bethlehem Steel Company in Minneapolis, Schultz Trailer Plant in Ironwood until it closed, truck driving, and ultimately UPS from 1977 to 2002, when he retired after 25 years.
Jerry was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. He loved feeding the birds and squirrels, gardening, and cooking.
Jerry is survived by his son, Daniel (Jessica) Bolich; daughters, Marie (Rick) Swartz and Margaret (Kurt) Krall; grandchildren, Daniel Bolich II, Kassidy Bolich, Brock Swartz, Farah (Scott) Erickson, Brandon (Stephanie) Swartz, Wendy (Dan) Tibaido and Tabitha (Cody) Slygh; great-grandchildren, Bryan Swartz, Talia Erickson, Brant Swartz, Brodie Erickson, Kai Swartz, Kallen Slygh and Kash Slygh; brother, Don (Mary Ann) Bolich; and his cousin, Diana Swanson. Jerry is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents ,; his wife, Joan in May 2014; brother, John (Elaine) Bolich; aunts, Estelle (Henry) Haavisto and Vicky (Alden) King; cousin, Mary Lou Bolich; brothers- and sisters-in-law; Kenneth (Jane) Tilton, Carroll (Evelyn) Tilton, Leonard (Rose) Tilton, John "Jack" (Delores) Tilton, William "Bill" (Rose) Tilton and Eugene "Gene" (Jane) Tilton.
Visitation for Jerry will be held on Tuesday, April 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with Father Brian Gerber officiating.
Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in spring.
A special thank you to Villa Maria Health and Rehab Center, Aspirus Clinic and Hospital, and Avanti Home Health.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood to honor Jerry's legacy of life. To make an online condolence visit McKevittPatrickFuneralHome.com.
