Gerald "Jerry" Hatke

Gerald “Jerry” Hatke passed away on March 17, 2026 in Coldwater, Michigan surrounded by his loved ones. Jerry was born in Lafayette, IN on August 3, 1934 to Edward and Gertrude Hatke.

Jerry attended St. Boniface Grade School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1952. He attended Purdue University for a short time until his passion for building with his hands prevailed. He started his career working as a carpenter for Henry Krick, building homes in and around Lafayette. In 1963 he joined Eli Lilly where he worked his way up to Construction Project Manager. In 1970, he was transferred to the Terre Haute facility where he and his family resided for the next eleven years. By 1981, it was time to make their way home to family and friends in Lafayette.

Jerry was married to Linda (Lane) Hatke from 1958 to 1993, and was the beloved father of Stephen and Susan. He served as a member of the Indiana National Guard for ten years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was actively involved with the Knights of Columbus where he and his brother, Tony, could often be found frying up fish on Friday nights.

After 30 years at Lilly, Jerry retired and moved to Munising, Michigan for his love of snowmobiling and fishing. While in Munising, he was introduced to Kathleen (Boyak) Froberg at the Forest Inn, and they married in 1996.

Jerry and Kath eagerly launched into their next chapter. They traveled extensively using their series of RVs to explore most of the US and parts of Canada. In between their travel adventures, Jerry returned to his love of building and renovation. Together, Jerry and Kath bought, renovated and sold several homes in Michigan and Florida.

In his later years, Jerry was at his happiest when he spent the day tinkering in his workshop. Along with intricate woodworking projects, he made dozens of bird feeders, cutting boards, tables and step stools that he generously shared with friends and family. The grandkids’ fondest memories are of Papa Jerry spending time with them, sharing his love for his workshop and all the cool things he created.

Jerry loved and respected the outdoors. Growing up on a farm cultivated his love for gardening, growing all sorts of vegetables including some of the tallest sunflowers the Upper Peninsula had ever seen. He enjoyed watching the birds visit his feeders and even had pigeons eating out of his hands. He also enjoyed fishing, golf, chopping wood and, of course, sitting around a fire almost every evening in the summers. He was known for the ‘Jerry Special’ (gin and tonic), served along with veggies and dip every day at 4PM SHARP.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Gertrude; his son Stephen; his brothers Verne Hatke and Anthony Hatke; his sisters Mary Agnes Spitznagle and Dorothy Pritchard; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jerry is survived by his wife Kathleen; daughter Susan (Jon) Phillips of Siesta Key, FL; stepdaughter Stacie (Gregory Zabonick) Hillier of Coldwater, MI; stepdaughter Stephanie (Rory) Pierson of Munising, MI and his grandchildren: Will Phillips and Sam Phillips of Chicago, IL; Alley (Brock) Smith of Marquette, MI; Abbie Hillier of Harrison Township, MI; Jessie (Andrew) Snow of Atlanta, Ga; Carl Pierson of Munising, MI; great granddaughter, Winter Snow, of Atlanta, GA. Also surviving are his brother, Vincent Hatke of Lafayette; sister Theresa Haan of Valparaiso, IN; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass and interment will be held in Munising, MI this summer. A private celebration of life will also be held later in the summer in Lafayette, IN where we will raise a ‘Jerry Special’ in his honor.