John Steurer, Jr.

Throughout his life, John Steurer Jr. approached each day with a fun-loving attitude and embraced each moment as though he were carefully crafting it to be the most fun it could possibly be. He never forgot that laughter was the best medicine. With a great sense of humor and quick wit, he could play a clever prank on you or tell you a good joke to make you laugh and maybe even blush. John was also a gentle and kind man and a supportive husband and father. He always encouraged his children to try their best, but reminded them that there is no shame failing. More than anything, John made each one of life's moments special for his family and filled each of his days doing the things he loved most with the people he loved best.

As America embarked on one of the most prosperous decades in history, the skylines of urban centers like Chicago, Illinois were erupting with skyscrapers and high-rises seemingly out of nowhere. For businesses both big and small, life during these fortunate times could not have been any better. Even family bakeries, like the one John Steurer Sr. worked at, thrived as hardworking and hungry Americans indulged their sweet tooth. Although he and his wife, Lucille (Walsh), were experiencing all of this excitement while living in the Windy City, nothing could compare to the anticipation they felt awaiting the birth of their first child. At last, on May 28, 1924, their newborn son arrived and they gave him his father's name, John.

The first few years of John's life quickly came and went, as did the prosperity of the 1920s. Before long, 1930 had arrived and the depression was sinking in across the country. John was an only child, so the depression wasn't quite as bad for the Steurer family as it was for some others. It wasn't until later in the decade and the start of WWII that John's father's job at the bakery was in jeopardy (John Sr.'s job ended because the bakery closed. They literally locked the door one day and walked away). As the world engaged in battle overseas, the availability of commodities like sugar became harder and harder to come by. Eventually John's parents decided to leave Chicago for greener pastures, purchasing a farm in Lawrence, Michigan, just west of Kalamazoo.

By the time John was finishing up his senior year of high school, the United States was in desperate need of young men to join the armed forces. John heeded his country's call and, at the age of 19, enlisted in the army. During his time in the service, he was a member of the signal corps and served in both France and Japan. Just as John received his discharge, he found out his mother had passed away, so he returned to the farm to be with his father during a difficult time. He wasn't home very long before he was offered a job working at Western Electric. Although his new job did not lead to a lifelong career, it did turn out to be very fortuitous. While on assignment at Michigan Bell Telephone Company, John saw the most beautiful girl he had ever laid his eyes on. Her name was Jane and she was working as a telephone operator on that fateful day in 1947. John could not help but to strike up conversation with the young girl and the two of them instantly hit if off. John and Jane were married just a few months later on September 27, 1947, in a ceremony held at the First Presbyterian Church.

Following the wedding, John and Jane rented an apartment together in Kalamazoo, where they lived for the first three years of their marriage. In 1950 they bought Jane's mother's old house on 2608 Crescent Drive, which was not only their first home, but the only home they ever knew. That same year John began a career in shipping and receiving at Upjohn. They worked hard to pay off the mortgage before starting a family, with John even picking up a second job at a gas station to earn extra money. In 1957 the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Stacey, who was followed in 1961 by a son named Scott. Before children came along, John kept himself busy fixing up the house, fishing, and taking his red Alfa Romero on road rallies with the car club. However, once the kids were born, John's attention quickly shifted from his other interests to caring for his children.

While John worked days at Upjohn, Jane worked second shift at Michigan Bell, which meant sacrificing time together so that one of them would always be home with the children. Being home in the evening, however, did not mean that John was a great chef. If Jane didn't prepare dinner before she left, there were two options, either going out to Satellite Burger or making a frozen dinner, which John soon mastered. He may not have been the best cook, but he certainly was a terrific dad. He read countless books to the children, took Stacey fishing with him, and bought Scott his first bike. The family also took many trips together, most often to places in northern Michigan or to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Silver Lake State Park. The first year they went camping they rented a little pop-up camper, but soon learned that renting a small cottage for a two week vacation was the way to go. No matter where the family was sleeping, they always had a good time making memories together.

In 1989, John retired after working 39 years at the Upjohn Company. In retirement, John continued to do many of the things he had always done, including volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and serving his church as an usher. Since the day he married Jane, John had been a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church. At one time John decided to take classes to become a pilot, but on his final flight he got lost. Needless to say, he didn't earn his license or take to the air again. He now had more leisurely pursuits, such as reading and watching television. He was an avid mystery reader and enjoyed books featuring Earl Grey and Sherlock Holmes. He was also interested in history and big fan of John Wayne. John was known for being a nighthawk, staying up late to watch TV and then sleeping through the morning.

Although he and Jane did most of their traveling early on and didn't take many trips in their golden years, they did enjoy continuing their education by taking classes together. They studied places like China and Britain, engaged in bible studies, and even learned how to write calligraphy. No matter how their lives changed over the years, one thing remained the same, their love of Bill Knapp's. John and Jane were lifetime Bill Knapp's patrons and even had a special table where they always sat. About five years ago John was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which slowly took away all of his control. He did not like that he was not in control and this battle weighed heavily on his personality right up to the end. Although his family will miss him dearly, they can find joy in their memories, comfort in their faith, and peace knowing that he has gone home to be with the Lord.

John Steurer, Jr. of Kalamazoo died on August 3, 2006. Members of John's family include his wife Jane of 59 years; two children: Stacey Steurer of Paw Paw and J. Scott (Laura) Steurer of Kalamazoo; two granddaughters: Samantha and Alexandra. There will be no visitation and cremation will take place. Services will be held Saturday August 12, 2006, 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, with arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive (West of US-131) 375-2900. Please visit John's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the online guestbook or archive a favorite memory. Memorial contributions may be made to Wayne 's Youth Group at First Presbyterian Church or Habitat for Humanity.