Jerome Richard Skarbek

Jerome Richard Skarbek, aged 83, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family in Niles, Michigan. Born on January 31, 1942, in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Anthony and Josephine Jamroz, Jerome was a steadfast beacon of guidance and joy for all who knew him.
Jerome's life was marked by a profound commitment to education and community. After earning a Master's Degree from Indiana University, he went on to inspire countless young lives as a Community School Director at Brandywine, where his passion for nurturing potential shone brightly. Jerome's innovative spirit led him to start numerous youth programs, including a be-loved 5th-grade camp and delightful Shakespeare plays that awakened the arts within many. He was also the superintendent at Galien Schools, where his passion for the education and betterment of student life shone above all else.
He married the love of his life, Patricia Stover, in 1998, and together they created a beautiful family. He is survived by his son Tom Skarbek, daughter Cathy Henning, stepdaughters Kim Millin and Tami Wright, his sister Carol Zalas, and was further blessed with eleven cherished grandchildren. He is predeceased by his stepson Jamie Stover and siblings Albert Skarbek, Raymond Skarbek, and Delores Kulwicki.
His role as a teacher and a community education director stood as testament to his belief that every individual has a diamond within, simply waiting to be discovered and polished.
A man of diverse interests, Jerome adored his time in the garden, with a particular affinity for the meditative task of pulling weeds. His love for his pets was equaled only by his enthusiasm for the Cubs and Bears. Jerome lived a life filled with variety, and his ability to better both educational and extracurricular avenues for students will be remembered fondly and missed dearly.
Memorial donations in Jerome's name may be made to the World Wildlife Federation and the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.
Services for Jerome will be held on at 2:00pm, January 31, 2025, at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, with an hour of visitation being held prior.
Jerome's legacy is a tapestry woven with dedication, love, and the countless lives he enriched. His presence will be profoundly missed, but the light of his spirit continues to shine in the memories of those he touched.