John Blasius, 83

R. John Blasius, 83, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, Sept. 21, 2009, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

He was born Sept. 8, 1926, in Sturgis, a son of the late Russell John and Ethel (Fennell) Blasius.

John was a lifelong resident of Sturgis and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1945. On Sept. 7, 1947, he married Jeanne Crabill in Bronson, Michigan.

Following 40 years of dedicated employment with the Harter Corporation in Sturgis he retired in 1986. Much of his time with Harter’s he held the position of supervisor of the upholstery department. He also enjoyed working in the construction business.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the rank of Technical Sergeant, T-4 serving during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis, Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion, Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and Voiture #545 40/8. For more than 20 years he served on the City of Sturgis Parks and Cemetery Board. John enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and hunting and played on the Harter fast pitch softball team for several years.

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 62 years, Jeanne; three sons, J. Dan (Mary Helen) Blasius of Ocean Side, Calif., Martin (Mary) Blasius of Lansing and James Blasius of Sturgis; four Grandchildren, Mary Ellen (her fiancée Kirk Rossi) Blasius, Teresa Blasius, Sarah Blasius and Leo Blasius; a great-grandson, Daniel; a sister, Annadell Norton of Sturgis; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Moret Ritter and June Wentworth; and three brothers, George, Joe and Richard Blasius.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of John Blasius will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis. The Revs. Michael Klafehn and Calvin Kolzow will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Blasius’ memory consider the Voiture #545 40/8 Nurses Scholarship Fund, c/o: Jim Broadbridge, 67538 Crooked Creek Road, White Pigeon, MI 49099. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.