of Allegan, died Friday, August 21, 2009, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, after a brief, unexpected illness. Heaven is now brighter than ever and has one of the very best. Mr. Jerkatis was born April 5, 1969, in Grand Rapids, the son of James and Lorraine (Gabert) Jerkatis. Stephen attended Bursley Elementary in Jenison and graduated from Jenison High School in 1987. As an ambitious young man, Steve had various jobs including volunteering with his dad at WGVU/WGVX, to stage the children's auction in support of PBS. He earned the name "Xerox" as he resembled his dad in many ways. He also baby sat and worked in his aunt and uncle's restaurant in Saugatuck. Steve earned a Master Electrician's Certification, and currently served as a project manager for Windemuller Electric Company in Moline, working on projects including, Rivertown Mall, Ice Mountain, and the M-6 freeway bypass. He served on the Georgetown Township Fire Dept. for many years as a volunteer fireman and was a Masonic Lodge member in Middleville. Steve loved people, he asked for nothing, but gave everything. His personality created a huge circle of friends, as one could always count on Steve for anything. Surviving are his wife Susan, whom he married on February 5, 2005, they welcomed their daughter, Sally, into their family in March of 2007, his mother and father, Lorraine and James Jerkatis, his sister Julie and Eric Thompson all of Charlevoix, his mother and father-in-law, Earleen and John Barber of Pentwater, 1 brother-in-law, Dan and Lori Barber of Allegan, 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Beth and Bill Quint Jr. of Lake Odessa, and Jeannie Payne of Ludington, 8 nieces, 3 nephews, several aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends all with heavy hearts. He was preceded in death by his aunt, Judy Gabert Vandervate and his grandparents, Jon and Jean Jerkatis and Alexander and Catherine Gabert. Friends may meet with the family on Monday, August 24th from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11 am at the United Methodist Church in Allegan. Pastor Robert Stover will officiate. Interment Oakwood Cemetery, Allegan. Memorials may be made to Special Olympics care of Allegan High School or the Psoriasis Foundation.