Jeremiah D. Semark

Jeremiah Dylan Semark, 48, of Portage, MI, passed away Friday, April 22, 2022, surrounded by family. Born October 8, 1973, in Elkhart, Indiana, he was the son of Doug and Cindy Semark.

Jeremiah loved riding the Metro Bus and attending the skill-building program at AACORN, a 40-acre farm in Kalamazoo County created for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The supportive atmosphere and open spaces of the farm brought him great joy. He loved eating (especially Culver's chocolate ice cream), going to summer camp, and especially enjoyed asking people questions about his favorite topics. He never met a stranger whom he wouldn't talk to, and his unforgettable personality brought light and laughter to everyone in his orbit. He was one in a million.

In his earlier years, Jeremiah lived with his family in Goshen, IN, then Edwardsburg, MI and Paw Paw, MI, where he started school. When the family moved to their small farm near Lawrence, MI, he attended The Learning Center, a center-based school for students with disabilities operated by the Van Buren Intermediate School District. There, he participated in vocational programs at the Van Buren Skills Center (now Van Buren Tech). He also attended a classroom for autism in Bangor.

During his time in Lawrence, Jeremiah and his siblings enjoyed running through the farm fields and trees near their home, listening to music together (especially 80s hits), and creating their own talk radio program. He and his sister Evangeline could be found lying in the grass for hours looking at the bugs, then the clouds. He and his brother Jordan became Boy Scouts with their dad Doug as the troop leader, and he earned badges, camped, and traveled with the troop.

Jeremiah attended Lawrence High School with his siblings after his parents successfully advocated for mainstreaming students with autism. He ran with the high school track team, supported by a caring coach. He enjoyed riding the school bus to track meets and eating team snacks. He played for several years on a VIP (Very Important Player) AYSO soccer team for individuals with special needs. Mom Cindy formed this team as a part of the local AYSO region.

After graduating high school in 1993, Jeremiah continued to attend the Van Buren ISD autism program and participated in different vocational programs throughout the years.

He moved to Southern California with his parents at age 23 and returned to Michigan a few years later after his mom moved back. Jeremiah spent the last seven years living in an apartment in Portage with his housemate David and supportive staff. He was very happy in this setting.

In 2011, Jeremiah's mom Cindy joined forces with other parents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to form AACORN Farm, Inc. (now AACORN) in Kalamazoo County. Through their work with AACORN, Jeremiah's family helped bring to life his parents' long held dream of providing their son and others the appropriate housing, meaningful work, and therapeutic activities they deserve. Jeremiah's entire family will continue to support the farm in his memory.

Jeremiah is survived by his mother Cindy Semark, Portage MI; father Doug Semark (Annie Song), San Miguel, CA; siblings Jordan Semark, Kalamazoo, MI, and Evangeline Semark (Justin Cooper), Evanston, IL; grandparents Betty Bonney, Spring Arbor, MI and Margrit Semark, Oak Harbor, OH; aunts Barbara Bonney and Roann Bonney; and uncles Larry Semark and Bruce Bonney (Leslie DeJong). He is also survived by a host of cousins and extended family, many farm friends, and numerous staff who enjoyed working with Jeremiah for decades.

Jeremiah was preceded in death by his grandparents George and Marilyn Bonney, Osceola Semark, and Doris Rath, and his nephew Yakez Semark.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Jeremiah's memory to AACORN online at https://aacorncommunity.org/donate/, or by mail at AACORN, 6409 S 34 th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. Service Details. Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Jeremiah Semark October 8, 1973 - April 22, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book