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Jerome Edward Rybicki, 86, of Free Soil, died Saturday morning, September 13, 2025 at his home in Free Soil. He was born on September 8, 1939 at his family home, in Free Soil, son of Frank and Frances (Slawinski) Rybicki. He was a graduate of Free Soil High School with the class of 1957. Jerome married Shirley (Benson) Austin on September 21. 1991 at Saint John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil.
Shirley preceded him in death on October 9, 2019. Jerome was dedicated to farming the family homestead all of his life. He raised dairy cows, pigs and other farm animals as well as growing several crops on the family farm. Everyone looked forward to his strawberries as they ripened each year.
He was a member of St. John Cantius Catholic Church of Free Soil, where he had been actively involved in all of the church activities throughout his life, including church dinners and other events. He also served for many years as a Mason County commissioner and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #853 of Manistee.
He is survived by his stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Frances (Slawinski) Rybicki; his siblings Minnie (Ted) Zatarga, Sally (Selma) Bartz, Paul (Marie) Rybicki, David (Lorraine) Rybicki, Michael (Carol) Rybicki, Bernard (Renata) Rybicki; his stepson Charles W. Austin; his stepdaughter and her husband Cheryl and Richard Devers.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday September 20, 2025 at Saint John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Dennis O’Donnell celebrant. Burial will follow, at the Saint John Cantius Church Cemetery. Relatives and friends will pray the Rosary on Friday evening at 8 p.m. at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, where the family will receive friends on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
A memorial will be established in Jerome’s name, for contributions, to Saint John Cantius Catholic Church of Free Soil.
The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements
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