Jerry (Vincent) Casanova Gonzales, age 85, of Bellville, MI, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025, at his home under the care of Elara Caring Hospice. Jerry was born on April 5, 1940 in Lockhart, TX, the son of the late Epifanio and Helen (Casanova) Gonzales. On October 31, 1962, he was joined in marriage with Evangelina Villanueva, and they enjoyed over fifty-nine years together before she passed in 2022.
Jerry worked in the housekeeping department at the University of Michigan Housing Department. He was a member of the Tecumseh Church of Christ and he loved reading his Bible. Jerry was very musical and he enjoyed playing his guitar and singing gospel music. He even was a member of a band in his earlier years. Besides music, Jerry was an avid softball player and pitched for the church team and was known as “Pops” throughout the league. He loved spending time with his family and was known as the grill master where he loved grilling for everyone.
Jerry is survived by; his children, Gloria Miller of Decatur, AL, Sally Cornett of Belleville, MI, Angela (Dane) Sauder of Adrian, MI, and Vincent (Michelle) Gonzales of Tecumseh, MI; grandchildren, Brandon Miller, Jacob Miller, Alicia (James) Wainwright, Bronson Gonzales, Quest Gonzales, Skylar (Bryan) Tripp, Brittany Gonzales, Zachary Smith, Remington Smith, Isaiah Smith and Nicholas (Liz) Gonzales; six great-grandchildren, Nevaeh Wainwright, Quaid Wainwright, Xylan Wainwright, Gianna Gonzales, Kolby Proffitt, and Mavryk Proffitt.
In addition to his wife Evangelina and his parents, Jerry is preceded in death by his son, Michael Gonzales and his grandson, Dakota Gonzales; and his siblings, Jane Valdez, Christina Madrigal, Joanna Madrigal, Mary Lou Madrigal, Josie Uballe, Sonny Gonzales, Leo Gonzales, and Lappe Gonzales.
Visitation for Jerry will be held from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Friday, July 25, 2025 at the Tecumseh Church of Christ followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm at the church with his son Vincent Gonzales officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens in Tecumseh, MI. Memorial contributions in honor of Jerry may be made to the Dakota Gonzales Memorial Scholarship Fund. The family would like to thank the Hospice team and St. Joseph Trinity Health and a special thank you to Aunt Marilyn, granddaughter Alicia and Julie Gonzales who assisted in his extra care. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.