Jack Greiner

Jack A. Greiner, loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather went to his eternal rest on May 15, 2021 at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods due to complications of Alzheimers with family by his side. Jack was born in Chicago in 1938, attended Senn High School and then graduated with a BA in Economics from Coe College in 1960 where he met Marge, his best friend and wife of 60 years. He entered the Marine Corps. Reserves where he completed basic training at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune. Marriage to Marge followed and Jack began his sales career in the food and packaging industries. 

He was a sales manager in Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Grand Rapids before founding Precision Packaging Inc. in 1975. Several years after his son, Dave came on board, he took early retirement and escalated his community involvement and volunteer activities. Jack was known for his love of family, leadership ability, gregariousness, sense of humor, desire for travel and social activity, boating on Spring Lake at his summer home, and midnight pilfering of donuts reserved for breakfasts at Boy Scout Camping overnights. As Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 284 he enjoyed serving as one of the leaders accompanying the boys to High Adventure Bases in Seboomook, Maine and Philmont, New Mexico. 

 Jack was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church serving several terms on the Church Council and as a member of the choir for thirty years.  He volunteered at Blandford Nature Center where he gave farmstead life and maple syrup tours.  He served 40 years on the Board of Directors of Preferred Credit Union with most of them as President or Secretary.  Jack served several terms on the board of directors of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan receiving a volunteer of the year award for his leadership of the President’s Council; he also served several terms on the foundation board of that organization’s successor, Samaritas. For his many years of tutoring first graders at Collins Elementary School, the Forest Hills Public Schools recognized Jack with the Ben Emdin Award in 2007. While serving as President of the Friends of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, he initiated the Friends Frolicking Fourth of July Party and served as its co-chair for a number of years. Jack also served on the Pension Review Board of Kent County Community Hospital and board of Faith Hospice. 

 Jack and Marge travelled widely visiting over 50 countries and especially enjoyed cruises and adventure trips in Iceland, Nepal, Antarctica, Machu Picchu, Africa and taking each grandchild on a trip of their choice at age 10. Many hours were spent with their bridge and gourmet groups and at both the  Pops and the Classical Music Series of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

  Jack was preceded in death by his parents Wilma and Hilmer Greiner and sisters-in-law Betty Berni and Kay Greiner. He is survived by his wife Marge, son David (Lisa), daughter Susan Gutierrez (David); grandchildren Grant Greiner, Grace Greiner, and Danny Gutierrez; brothers Bill Greiner and Bob Greiner (Deanne Tate); Sisters-in-law  Winnie Stortzum (Jay), Bev Bernardo (Gene), Cynthia Mark (Steve), Val Lagomarcino (Paul), and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Road S.E. on Sunday May 23rd from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  The funeral service will be held on Monday May 24th at 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church  2700 East Fulton Grand Rapids 49506.   Memorial contributions  in lieu of flowers may be made to Samaritas at 8131 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48214.

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