John Straw

Straw: John Stanley Straw, aged 84, of Cedar Springs, passed away in his sleep early Monday, April 7, 2008, at St. Mary’s Living Center, Walker, MI. John was born January 9, 1924 in Kendallville, IN the fourth of ten children of Clayton and Martha (Duguid) Straw. He was raised on a farm near Coldwater, MI attending schools in Coldwater and Reading and attended church at the Presbyterian Church in California, MI. At eighteen John enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve his country during World War II. Staff-Tech Sgt. Straw flew forty-nine missions with the 741st squadron, 455th bomb group, receiving an honorable discharge in 1945. John married Roberta Imogene Fisher on February 3, 1950. Together they raised four children, who survive; Susan (Don) Makowski of Granger, IN, Jeffery (Carla) Straw of Traverse City, MI, Becky (Gregg) Metternich of Fairfield, Ct, Scott (Kathy) Straw of Blaine, MN. John worked several years as a test engineer and supervisor for Lear in Grand Rapids. In 1960 John returned to farming, growing crops and milking his Brown Swiss and Holstein dairy herd near Cedar Springs, MI. John and Imo remained on their farm after retirement, enjoying the peaceful country life and helping neighbors. After Imo’s death in 2000, John moved to Meadowlark Retirement Village in Sparta, MI and then to St. Mary’s in late 2002. John was a member of Cedar Springs United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school, served in men’s ministries, and regularly attended church services. John served two terms as a Solon Township trustee. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two brothers Lee Straw and Donald (Lucia) Straw, four sisters; Dorothy Wade, Mary (Burr) McGrath, Ruth (Dick) McNee and Jane (Morrie) McMurry, nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating John’s life will be held at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Rafferty officiating on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. John’s cremated remains will be interred at Solon Cemetery, with military honors. The family will meet friends at church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions to Cedar Springs United Methodist Church have been suggested. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com