Jerome E. "Jerry" Groff, 53 of Bitely, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, February 24, 2008. He was born March 10, 1954, in Fremont to Arthur and Florence (Michalski) Groff. Jerry graduated from Baldwin High School in 1972. He married Kathy Ghent and together they made their home in Bitely. Jerry loved the Bitely area and worked at several area businesses. He was employed by Michigan Cigar until his father's death. After his father's passing he began working with his mother at Florence's Center, currently the Bitely Grocery. He worked at J's Market (Star Foods) and Patti Drug both in Baldwin. Jerry earned a Bachelor of Arts in Photography from Grand Valley State University. In September of 1999, Jerry established and opened "Up North Gift Co." in Bitely, the business he truly enjoyed. He loved music, his cats, Bum and Petie, old sign making, an interest he acquired from his grandfather. In the past few years he had taken up cooking and was a fantastic chef and bread baker. He will be forever loved and missed by many including: his wife Kathy, 2 children, Jessica Ann Groff of South Bend, IN Matthew Arthur (Brooke) Groff of Alanson sister, Pauline (Steve) Woronko of Pierson 2 brothers, Lynn (Phyllis) Groff of Spokane, WA Steve (Ruth) Groff of Milan, MI brother-in-law, Richard "Dick" Hartwell of Jenison and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by a sister, Alberta Hartwell. Funeral services will take place 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 28th at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Ken Lyon officiating. Burial will be at Lilley Township Cemetery in Bitely. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Jerry's name may be made to the Bitely Conservation Club or the Bitely Women's Club. Condolences may be left online at daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com