John Chiddister, 86

John H. Chiddister, age 86, of Marcellus, passed away peacefully from this life the morning of Friday, September 22, 2017.  He was surrounded and supported by his loving family and caregivers during the last days of his life.
He was born August 2, 1931 in Howard Township, MI the son of John H. Sr. and Yula N. (Marshall) Chiddister.  He was the oldest of 8 children.  He grew up in Cass County.  He fell in love and was united in marriage to the late Joan Louise Waltz in 1951.  They resided in Marcellus until her death in 2001.
Together they had 7 children; Cheryl (Floyd) Groner, Glenda Chiddister, Karen (Denny) Brewer, Nancy (Gregg) Griffith, Kristen (Dennis) Conley, Paul (Pandy) Chiddister and Kay (Rick) Ringle, 2 step-children, Gail (Denny) Reames and Terry (Wendy) Swartz.  In 2006 John married Anna Swartz, who survives him. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 8 step-great-grandchildren and many nieces & nephews.  He was preceded in death by his first wife Joan, two brothers, Tom Chiddister and Walter Chiddister; one sister, Becky Norton and son in law Randy Bigelow.
John was a family man who loved camping and family campouts, his Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Nascar.  He really enjoyed bowling on a league for the last 35 years.  If you wanted to find John, you could look in his woodshop where he was always busy making gifts for all of his many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He loved to fish and hunt.  He was known for his famous pancakes.  He loved farming and at one time he worked for Cass Wire, owned his own successful business.  He retired to enjoy his family and hobbies full time.  He attended Newberg-Norton Bible Church.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at the Mater-Ralston Funeral Home, Marcellus.  Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the funeral home with Pastor John Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Marcellus Cemetery.   Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Research, Helping Hands of Cass County or The Shriners.  Online condolences may be left at www.materralstonfuneralhome