John Grate, 91

John Jeremiah Grate, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Feb. 24, 2010.

He was born Oct. 12, 1918, in LaGrange, Ind., a son to the late Albert and Katherine (Frahm) Grate.

A more generous man you couldn’t find. We loved him so much. All who knew our dad I am sure would agree. You needed a place to stay, look no further. You needed food to eat, help yourself. You needed a kind word, a helping hand, that was our dad. We didn’t have a lot monetarily, but what we were raised with far surpassed money. We knew we were loved. We knew he was always there for us and we knew what he expected of us. We were taught always to be honest. We were taught to give from the heart, and not just by word but by example. He was a great man! I am so proud he was my dad. He died alone and I wish I could have been there just to hold his hand and tell him I loved him, how much he affected my life, how I always wanted him to be proud of me, and how proud I was to be able to call him dad.

John Jeremiah Grate married Ethel Lucille Thompson. They had three children: Joy Lynn, Jerry Earl, and John Edward. Joy Lynn had two daughters, Jennifer Lynn and Steffany Taylor. Jerry Earl had one daughter, Misty Jade. John Edward had two daughters, Cassandra Lucille and Mary Katherine Christine. Joy’s daughter Jennifer had two children, Samantha Joy and Blake Albert. Jerry’s daughter Jade had two boys. Robert Glenn Garett and Braden Alexander. John’s daughter Cassandra had four children, Alexis Dakota, Brock Michael, Domonic Edward who died at birth, and Xander Cole.

Daddy lived with Caren Stevens-Grate, his daughter-in-law and he loved her as his own. Caren had two sons, Timothy James and Christopher Michael. Timothy had one son, Kaden James.

I look forward to the day I will see my dad again.

Life, like a mist, appears for just a day. Then disappears tomorrow. All that we are can quickly fade away, replaced with tears and sorrow. If a man should die, can he live again? Hear the promise God has made. He will call; the dead will answer. They shall live at his command. For he will have a longing for the work of his own hand. So have faith and do not wonder. For our God can make us stand and we shall live forever as the work of his own hand.

According to his wishes there will be no visitation or services as cremation has taken place. Arrangements are being handled by the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis, MI 49091.