Mr. Gerald Lee Malburg, age 72, of Hart, passed away Friday, July 20, 2012. He was born May 16, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan to Paul and Elizabeth (Zuder) Malburg, Jr. His family moved to Oceana County in 1951 and he resided here ever since. He married Lois Johnson on April 19, 1974 in Hart and they were married 38 years. Mr. Malburg was an avid deer hunter, shot billiards competitively, fabricated many pieces of farm equipment, enjoyed college sports, NASCAR, and being a mechanic for snowmobile teams. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Michigan Asparagus Growers Association. Jerry's employment history included Muskegon Industrial Supply, Hodges Pontiac-Buick, Cal-Van, Inc. and agriculture for 48 years. He was a graduate of Hart High School and received his associate's degree from Ferris State University. Jerry served on many boards and associations including: Pentwater School Board for 13 years, Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association for 13 years, Michigan Asparagus Research Board for 7 years, Michigan Farm Bureau Policy Developmental Committee for one year, Weare Township Board of Review for 5 years, former chairman of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board for 13 years, Cherry Marketing Board for 4 years, Chairman of Oceana County Personnel Committee and has been a District One Commissioner for Oceana County since 2002. Jerry's farming attributes and accomplishments include his first land purchase in 1974, a tract of 80 acres located in Mason County; growing green and yellow zucchini squash for fresh and processing; first grower in the area of Dickinson squash and he also raised Golden Delicious and Butternut varieties; he fabricated the first mechanical butternut harvester. Red beets, parsnips, turnips, broccoli cauliflower, spinach and sugar beets were also produced on the Malburg Farms. Carrots were another mainstay crop, being harvested, washed and sized and stored to be sold in markets from coast-to-coast as juice, puree, slicer, dicer, and sticks for fresh markets. Mary Washington, Jersey Hybrids, Canadian and French varieties of asparagus were also produced. He also sold asparagus crowns in early spring, asparagus in the summer, and deer feed in the fall. The farm also received asparagus for Honee Bear Canning and cherries for Michigan Cherry Growers Association. Jerry worked closely with John Bakker to benefit the area asparagus industry against importing from foreign countries. He was also named Master Vegetable Farmer of the year in 2012.Gerald is survived by his wife, Lois Malburg; four daughters, Jody (Randy) Manshaem of Mesa, AZ; Angela (Paul) Blauwiekel of Grandville, MI; Kristen (Kevin) Hartwell of Daleville, AL; Michelle (Mark) Thibault of Bolingbrook, IL; and one son, Ryan (Krisztina) Malburg of Hart; twelve grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rose (Dick) Buxton of Hastings, and Brenda (Andrew) VanZoeren of Hart, and one daughter-in-law, Christine Blackmer of Allendale, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcia (Osborn) Malburg, and a son, Gregory Blackmer. The Mass of The Resurrection for Mr. Malburg will be offered Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Phillip Sliwinski officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the King Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Gerald L. Malburg Scholarship Fund.