John Henry McDermott, Jr., 83, of Houghton Lake, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Coldwater, Michigan while celebrating with family.
A graveside service will be held at a later date at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City.
John was born December 18, 1939 in Morristown, New Jersey to John Henry and Helene (Sebelle) McDermott, Sr. The family moved multiple times, as John’s father was serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. John ended up in Michigan and received a diploma from Howell High School in 1956. Following family tradition, John joined the Marine Corp in 1957 and served honorably through 1960 as a helicopter mechanic. Post-military, he lived briefly in California with his parents, then returned to Michigan. On April 22, 1962, he married the former Patricia Jean Huhman in a civil ceremony in Howell, but the union ended in divorce. On December 14, 1990, John married the former Laurel Lee Paine in a civil ceremony in Toledo, Ohio. She survives. From 1965-1996, John was employed by Ford Motor Company in Wixom, where he was a leader with UAW Local 36.
Apart from work, John enjoyed watching football, baseball and hockey, and collecting stamps. He also liked being outdoors, watching the animals and anything to do with nature. John kept busy with boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, motorcycle riding (Harley only), collecting Harley memorabilia, dinking around on the computer, making personalized greeting cards and buying tools and fixing things. Good-natured and fun-loving, John nevertheless had a stubborn streak and a bit of a temper. Fortunately, he mellowed with age. His answer to many problems was to throw hard work at them. John was interested in history (especially Irish history) politics and current events. He enjoyed discussing them by phone with his sister, Mary.
In addition to his wife, Laurel, John is survived by four children: John H. McDermott, III, Joseph McDermott, Timothy McDermott and Sherri McDermott-Gillette; four step-children: Renee Vertin, Melissa Belcher-Glinke, Paula Belcher and Michelle Belcher-Reyes; half-brother, Edward McDermott; half-sister, Marylisa McDermott; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his mother; father; and step-mother, Anna Lisa; son, Thomas McDermott; step-daughter, Teri Vertin; and sisters, Helene McDermott and Lillian McDermott-Brady.
Please visit www.lighthousefuneral.com to share memories, pictures and videos with the family.
Comments