Jerry A. Busch

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Covenant HealthCare – Harrison, at the age of 86 years. Jerry was born on June 11, 1940, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Frank and Ann (Nizinski) Busch. He was a proud 1958 graduate of Arthur Hill High School. Following graduation, Jerry began working for General Motors as a tool grinder, retiring after many years of loyal and dedicated service. He married the love of his life, Dorothy Marie Simmet, on February 6, 1965; she survives him. Jerry was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, volunteered as an usher, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 8808, and Shields Men’s Club. A lifelong resident of James Township, Jerry civically served his community in the most profound way possible, by selflessly volunteering with the James Township Fire Department for over 50 years. He believed in helping others and volunteered with both Habitat for Humanity and the East Side Soup Kitchen. An avid outdoors man, he loved John Deere, especially tractors, and he took pride in a well-manicured lawn, planting all the trees in his yard, and gardening. Always on the move and never one to sit still, Jerry enjoyed tinkering on his pride and joy his 1969 Chevy C10 pickup truck in his barn and using his mind and hands to build and create anything from scratch. Of all the roles he held throughout his life, none was more meaningful to him than being a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Family was the heart of Jerry’s life, and he was always present for all his children and grandchildren’s sporting and school events and family gatherings around the Bonfires. He will forever be remembered for his famous Sunday morning breakfasts, especially his scrambled eggs with peppers and Spatz bread toast.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Busch; four children and their spouses: Janice Dunn, Kathleen Danilowicz, Mark (Michelle) Busch, and Lori (Wesly) Burrell; eight grandchildren: Austin Root, Dalton Root, Andrew (Abbe) Danilowicz, Ashley (Derek) Resio, Alex (Mariah) Madden, Matthew Busch, Rachel Burrell, and Angela Burrell; a great-granddaughter, Josephine Danilowicz with a great-granddaughter on the way, Oakley Resio; two brothers, Randy Busch and Alan (Diana) Busch. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ann Busch; and a son-in-law, James Andrew Danilowicz.

A funeral liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Rd., Saginaw, MI 48609. Rev. Fr. Peter J. Gaspeny will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W. L. Case and company Funeral Directors, 201 N. Miller Rd., Saginaw, MI 48609 on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Jerry will lie in state at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to James Township Fire Association. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church, or through www.casefuneralhome.com.