Gadzala, Jeffrey

Jeffrey Martin Gadzala, age 68, of Johannesburg, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.  Jeff was born March 14, 1950 in Gary, Indiana to Rudy and Betty (Martin) Gadzala.  This was also the day that Jeff became a lifelong Chicago Blackhawks fan.  He worked in the steel industry starting with Bethlehem Steel which is now ArcelorMittal in Burns Harbor, Indiana for almost 48 years moving his way up to the position of Technical Service Engineer.  On March 27, 2001, he married Darlene (Dammann) Riker in Monroe County, Michigan.  One of his greatest passions was helping animals, specifically rescues.  There was at one point where he and his wife had a colony of 30+ feral cats they trapped, fixed, vaccinated and vowed to care for the rest of their lives. They also had helped a neighbor with another feral cat colony by trapping, fixing and vaccinating another 10+ cats.  They too were returned to their neighbors to be cared for.  When not helping care for animals he liked to reminisce about his old blue 1969 Chevy Nova SS.  He always had an interest in classic muscle cars and often talked about building a kit car when he retired.  Jeff was a loving and generous individual that always thought about others before himself.  He had a dry humor and knew how to laugh and make others laugh.

Jeff is survived by his son, Nathan (Melinda) Gadzala, daughter Leah Gadzala, granddaughters; Danielle (Nick) Hilton and Haley Browning (fiancé Tyler Bloch).

He is preceded in death by his mother Betty, father Rudy and granddaughter Olivia Gadzala.

No flowers please.  Donations can be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.