Gerald "Jerry" Kalchik

Gerald Frederick Kalchik, 76 of Northport, died July 20, 2016 after a short battle with lung cancer.

Jerry was born on December 15, 1939 to Frank and Elizabeth (Korson) Kalchik in Omena. He attended school in Northport, kindergarten through 12th grade, before enlisting in the U. S. Army in 1958. Shortly after returning home from the Army in 1961, Jerry worked as a heavy equipment operator for the family business, Kal Excavating, for 46 years retiring in 2010.

He married, Nancy (Firestone) Rogers on January 25, 2002 in Leland. Jerry attended St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City. During the last 6 years he had a passion for woodworking, specializing in scroll saw work. Since 2012, he also built therapy kits for stroke and head injury patients for Salia Rehab. All over the world, he has left a little piece of himself that will help many patients and therapists improve lives. His legacy will continue through his craftsmanship that many people have benefited from. He also loved to landscape his yard with shrubs, vines, bushes, trees and flowers, feed all the birds and enjoy coffee on the glider he built.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Nancy Kalchik of Northport; sisters, JoAnn (Allen) Dazell and Pat (Marn) Bussey both of Omena; brother, Ralph (Nancy) Kalchik of Omena; sister-in-law, Joan (Mike) Kalchik-Tenbrock of Omena and son, Kevin Kalchik and nieces, nephews and a cousin. He is also survived by special sons, Chuck (Cathy) Rogers of Ohio and Tim (Tina) Rogers of Colorado;six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; close friends, Darrell and Sue Price of Big Rapids, his little Puggle buddy, Buttons and many, many friends.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elizabeth Kalchik and brother Ron Kalchik.

Memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made the Cowell Family Cancer Center, 1150 Medical Campus Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684.

The family would like to thank all the nurses and their assistants on A2 of the Webber Heart Center for the awesome care they extended to Jerry while he was there. They hold a special place in the family's hearts.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guest book and share a message with the family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.