George Allen Jonaitis, age 83, of Jenison, Michigan was called to glory on June 13, 2026. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by the love of his family. George was preceded in death by his parents, George & Stephanie (Folta) Jonaitis, sister Victoria Jonaitis, brothers John & Michael Jonaitis, sister-in-law Jane Jonaitis, special uncle Al Folta & his beloved in-laws, Arthur & Jean (Anderson) Fazakerley. George is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Karen (Fazakerley), daughter Jennifer (Patrick) Nickles, son Jason (Meghan) Jonaitis, grandchildren Collin, Lydia & Cora Nickles, brother Joseph Jonaitis, sisters Christine (Dave) Velton & Teresa (Don) Aldrich, sisters-in-law Carol Melle & Elsa Rae Jonaitis, many special cousins, nieces, nephews & special friends.

George grew up in Hesperia, MI on the family farm. There he learned the love of family, the benefit of working hard and a job well done. He graduated from White Cloud High School in 1961, where he was involved in many sports and student government. An avid sportsman and lover of the great American pastime, baseball, George even tried out for the minor leagues! Soon after, George enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and was stationed off the coasts of the Philippines and Okinawa, Japan where he worked in intelligence on a Navy ship. Once back on dry land, George benefited from the GI bill and attended classes at Michigan State University, where he became the Spartans biggest fan. He decided on a career in teaching, so transferred and graduated from Central Michigan University. During this time, he began a whirlwind romance with the young Karen Fazakerley and in 1970, he made her his wife.

They began their life on the shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon, but soon moved to the bustling “metropolis” of Tawas City, MI, where George took a job as a physical education/shop teacher and football coach at the local high school. In 1972, they welcomed their daughter, Jennifer. The trio soon moved back to West Michigan, as George took a job in Ravenna ~ again teaching and coaching high school students. In 1975 they welcomed a son, Jason. It was difficult to raise a family on a teacher’s salary during that time so George took a job at the US Post Office in downtown Grand Rapids where he retired in 2005.

Faith and Family were very important to George and this was made evident in everything he did. He was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Jenison, MI ~ singing in the choir, as a member of the church prayer chain, attending men’s bible study and church each Sunday. He encouraged the word of Jesus Christ to be a part of his family’s everyday life and his greatest wish was that all people would accept God into their lives. George had an easy laugh and a kind spirit that drew others to him; he never had a negative word to say about anyone. He was meticulous about his lawn, and during the spring-fall, you could always find him putzing around in the yard. George loved spending time with his family ~ especially his grandchildren, hunting with his son and brothers and fishing with his grandson. He loved Tiger baseball, Spartan ANYTHING, exercising, and of course, his bride.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Jenison, MI on August 28, 2026 at 11:00 am, with a luncheon immediately following in the fellowship hall. We welcome you all to come and honor this wonderful man we called husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in George’s name to Emmanuel Hospice, the Rose Garden nursing home in Granville, MI or to PSP research, www.psp.org

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”