John Pease

John Dee Pease, age89 years of Niles, Michigan died with his family gathered around at 3:24 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an extended illness.

He was born on March 8, 1926 in Truman, Arkansas to John Lester and Katherine (Varble) Pease. He attended school in Bald Knob, Arkansas and Sumnerville, Michigan, and has lived in Niles since 1941. He was employed at the National-Standard Company in Niles where he was responsible for several patents during his career.

John was a member of the American Kennel Club, the Michiana Kennel Club in South Bend, Indiana and the American Spaniel Club in Kalamazoo. His specialty was the English Springer Spaniel which he raised and trained. He successfully showed in many disciplines including conformation and obedience, and was an approved contest judge.

He volunteered with the Howard Township Fire Department, and was a member of the Howard Township Club of Lions International. He enjoyed fishing and pheasant hunting, and working in his home workshop where he was quite proficient at designing and crafting custom furniture as well as fashioning new parts to restore old furniture. His family’s homes all hold finished pieces from his shop and he has produced several commissioned items.

On December 6, 1947 in Buchanan, Michigan he married the former Marie Leta Schiffman with whom he celebrated last year the remarkable Sixty-seventh anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Marie Pease and their children, Cathy L. (& Gary) Dykstra of Grandville, Michigan and Randal J. (& Tom Brady) Pease of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren Gary Lee (& Kelli) Dykstra, and Carrie Lynn (& Joel) Case; great-grandchild, Josie Lynn Dykstra; and John’s siblings, James Pease of Dowagiac, Michigan, Dudley (& Madeline) Pease of Baldwin, Michigan, and Mike (& Diane) Pease of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by siblings Paul, Ray, and Homer Pease, Louise Wanko, Muriel Swierz, and Catherine Verlene Whitaker.

The funeral service for John Pease will be at Noon on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. Gary Dykstra, son-in-law of John officiating. Interment will be at a later date at Mission Hills.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of John may be made to Lions International.

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