Gerald "Jerry" Goshorn

Gerald (Jerry) Goshorn, age 96, of Alma, passed away Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Masonic Pathways in Alma, Michigan.
Jerry was born August 19, 1929, in Chicago, the son of James and Frances (Mateski) Goshorn, and moved to Douglas, Michigan with his parents and siblings in 1930. After graduating from Saugatuck High School in 1947, he worked several jobs including a season aboard the Great Lakes freighter the Frank E. Taplan, and was drafted into the US Army in 1950 where he was a member of the 11th Airborne Division. He met Margaret Eakley while roller skating at the Big Pavilion in Saugatuck in 1948, and they were married on December 2, 1950.
After leaving the Army he took a job with Crampton Manufacturing Company in Holland, Michigan where he stayed until 1956, when he started with the water department in Holland, the first stop on what was to become a more than 50-year career in the water treatment business.
Jerry and Margaret moved their family to Flat Rock, Michigan in 1963 where Jerry became the superintendent of the water department. He held that position until 1975, when he and Margaret moved their family to Alma, Michigan, where Jerry became the superintendent of the water department. He held that position for nearly 20 years until his retirement in 1994. Along the way Jerry served in many executive positions in the American Water Works Association and was one of the founding members of the Rural Water Association. Jerry was also a member of the Elks, the Moose, the American Legion and the VFW. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, watching John Wayne movies, reading history books and playing golf.
Jerry is survived by his four children and their spouses, Mike and Bunny Goshorn, Marlene and Stewart Beach, Mark and Karen Goshorn, and Don and Patty Goshorn, and his eight grandchildren, Stephanie Messplay, Patrick Beach, Jessica Goshorn, Garrett Goshorn, Emily Hultink, Susan Kempster, Ben Brush and Brian Cook.
Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Margaret, his daughter-in-law, Diana Cook, his parents and his siblings.
Per Jerry's wishes a cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma. To view Jerry's obituary or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuneralhomes.com.