Thomas, June, Age 95, loving mother, Grandmother, and friend, fiercely independent survivor, passionate adventurer, and hugger to all, was called home to Heaven by Jesus on October 10, 2021, to rejoin and fall into the arms of her beloved husband and best friend, Grover Jr, the only man who could capture and hold her heart, and did so for over 69-years.
June was born in Flint, Michigan, on November 25, 1925, to parents Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr. Things were not perfect after her parents divorced. However, she stepped up and cooked for her sisters at the tender age of eight years old, a style of independence that would stay with her for the rest of her life. She said sometimes she would get headaches at school from not eating, but kept going, hiding this from her teachers.
She later worked at Peck's Drugstore at the age of 14 and a half, getting special permission to do so to put money in her pocket. She then attended Goodrich High School for one year while her Grandmother Ethel received cancer treatment before finishing back to Flint Central High School, where she started. She then attended Flint Junior College (now Mott CC) to be a nurse, but World War II broke out, and so she went to AC to make machine guns. (Because of this sacrifice, Mott CC later gave her an Honorary Degree in time for her 90th birthday a few years ago).
June then became a waitress after the war and met Grover Jr. at the Flint Tavern, where she knew he was giving her a bigger tip than he could afford, but she says she earned it because she cut peaches for his cereal. She had a boyfriend at the time, but dad never disrespected him or tried to break them up, and in fact, made out the baggage claim ticket so she could visit her boyfriend. This impressed her, and the rest was history. Dad would later tell her, "As soon as I laid my eyes on you, I knew I wanted to marry you."
Again taking charge and getting good tips, mom paid for the wedding and reception while dad was attending college, and mom even helped to pay for his school while he attended Wayne State. She later became a waitress at Cromer's back in Flint's heyday and waited on Charles Stewart Mott, Frank Manley, Dinah Shore, and Don Ameche before finally moving on to Howard Johnson's. When faced with a one-car situation at home, mom would make the sacrifice, walking a block to catch a bus to work, never complaining, okay, maybe just a little, lol.
Mom could best be described as a beautiful contrast of the most elegant woman that would walk in a room, eyes sparkling, dressed so expertly that it would make Elizabeth Taylor do a double-take, and yet worked hard at painting walls, doing drywall, mowing the yard, sewing, and cooking from scratch to take care of the family. Anyone who walked into her house was often met with, "Are you Hungry?" Of course, she was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and her claim to fame was cutting a hole in the ice by herself while awestruck cubbies looked on. During station wagon trips to the Drive-In or across the country, mom was always prepared with plenty of goodies and Tang. She helped everyone with their homework and encouraged her children to get a good education. She also liked to throw festive parties of self-prepared delicacies for both sides of the family, especially during Christmas. Dad would call her the "hostess with the mostest," and that was undoubtedly true. Mom and dad also bowled for 40+years and won their share of trophies, but we all knew it was about having a fun night out and enjoying a beer. And who could forget the many times they danced in the kitchen, sharing a glance and a kiss.
Later on, as senior citizens, mom and dad became world travelers, going on countless cruises (though she says it was 26) and flying too many more destinations. She also loved going to Soaring Eagle, she would say for the buffet, but what she really loved were those one-armed bandits. Along the way, she doted on her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas, and everyone else who came her way, including 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. She also had a strong belief in God and could often be heard in her room at night praying aloud and starting over if she missed someone.
Finally, mom would often say, "I lived a wonderful life," and she certainly did, as life is about perspective, and love, and joy, and hope. So mom, a job well done, and now we wish you well on this new journey and give you kisses for the road, and remember, dad will be easy to spot, he'll be in Heaven's kitchen, with a dozen red roses, waiting for a dance, and the cool thing about Heaven, there are no burned rolls. So save a spot for us, we will see you soon, and we will love you forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr, and sisters Lenora, Delores, and Hallie. She is survived by her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas and 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. Grandchildren include Heather, Pete, Connie (Steve), Curt (Jenny), John (Kate), Tiffany, Heidi, Amy (David), Sarah (James), Ashley, Isiah, Caroline, Kimberly, Cheyenne, and Kaylee. Great Grandchildren include Desiree (David), Paige (Kameron), Sierra, Colin, Micah, Hannah (Corian),Olivia, Curtis, Liliana, Emma, Daniel, Drew, Theo, Lennon, Alicia, Thomas, and Ella.
Funeral service will be held 1pm Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Visitation 1-8pm Friday, October 22, 2021 at the funeral home.
June was born in Flint, Michigan, on November 25, 1925, to parents Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr. Things were not perfect after her parents divorced. However, she stepped up and cooked for her sisters at the tender age of eight years old, a style of independence that would stay with her for the rest of her life. She said sometimes she would get headaches at school from not eating, but kept going, hiding this from her teachers.
She later worked at Peck's Drugstore at the age of 14 and a half, getting special permission to do so to put money in her pocket. She then attended Goodrich High School for one year while her Grandmother Ethel received cancer treatment before finishing back to Flint Central High School, where she started. She then attended Flint Junior College (now Mott CC) to be a nurse, but World War II broke out, and so she went to AC to make machine guns. (Because of this sacrifice, Mott CC later gave her an Honorary Degree in time for her 90th birthday a few years ago).
June then became a waitress after the war and met Grover Jr. at the Flint Tavern, where she knew he was giving her a bigger tip than he could afford, but she says she earned it because she cut peaches for his cereal. She had a boyfriend at the time, but dad never disrespected him or tried to break them up, and in fact, made out the baggage claim ticket so she could visit her boyfriend. This impressed her, and the rest was history. Dad would later tell her, "As soon as I laid my eyes on you, I knew I wanted to marry you."
Again taking charge and getting good tips, mom paid for the wedding and reception while dad was attending college, and mom even helped to pay for his school while he attended Wayne State. She later became a waitress at Cromer's back in Flint's heyday and waited on Charles Stewart Mott, Frank Manley, Dinah Shore, and Don Ameche before finally moving on to Howard Johnson's. When faced with a one-car situation at home, mom would make the sacrifice, walking a block to catch a bus to work, never complaining, okay, maybe just a little, lol.
Mom could best be described as a beautiful contrast of the most elegant woman that would walk in a room, eyes sparkling, dressed so expertly that it would make Elizabeth Taylor do a double-take, and yet worked hard at painting walls, doing drywall, mowing the yard, sewing, and cooking from scratch to take care of the family. Anyone who walked into her house was often met with, "Are you Hungry?" Of course, she was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and her claim to fame was cutting a hole in the ice by herself while awestruck cubbies looked on. During station wagon trips to the Drive-In or across the country, mom was always prepared with plenty of goodies and Tang. She helped everyone with their homework and encouraged her children to get a good education. She also liked to throw festive parties of self-prepared delicacies for both sides of the family, especially during Christmas. Dad would call her the "hostess with the mostest," and that was undoubtedly true. Mom and dad also bowled for 40+years and won their share of trophies, but we all knew it was about having a fun night out and enjoying a beer. And who could forget the many times they danced in the kitchen, sharing a glance and a kiss.
Later on, as senior citizens, mom and dad became world travelers, going on countless cruises (though she says it was 26) and flying too many more destinations. She also loved going to Soaring Eagle, she would say for the buffet, but what she really loved were those one-armed bandits. Along the way, she doted on her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas, and everyone else who came her way, including 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. She also had a strong belief in God and could often be heard in her room at night praying aloud and starting over if she missed someone.
Finally, mom would often say, "I lived a wonderful life," and she certainly did, as life is about perspective, and love, and joy, and hope. So mom, a job well done, and now we wish you well on this new journey and give you kisses for the road, and remember, dad will be easy to spot, he'll be in Heaven's kitchen, with a dozen red roses, waiting for a dance, and the cool thing about Heaven, there are no burned rolls. So save a spot for us, we will see you soon, and we will love you forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr, and sisters Lenora, Delores, and Hallie. She is survived by her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas and 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. Grandchildren include Heather, Pete, Connie (Steve), Curt (Jenny), John (Kate), Tiffany, Heidi, Amy (David), Sarah (James), Ashley, Isiah, Caroline, Kimberly, Cheyenne, and Kaylee. Great Grandchildren include Desiree (David), Paige (Kameron), Sierra, Colin, Micah, Hannah (Corian),Olivia, Curtis, Liliana, Emma, Daniel, Drew, Theo, Lennon, Alicia, Thomas, and Ella.
Funeral service will be held 1pm Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Visitation 1-8pm Friday, October 22, 2021 at the funeral home.
Thomas, June, Age 95, loving mother, Grandmother, and friend, fiercely independent survivor, passionate adventurer, and hugger to all, was called home to Heaven by Jesus on October 10, 2021, to rejoin and fall into the arms of her beloved husband and best friend, Grover Jr, the only man who could capture and hold her heart, and did so for over 69-years.
June was born in Flint, Michigan, on November 25, 1925, to parents Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr. Things were not perfect after her parents divorced. However, she stepped up and cooked for her sisters at the tender age of eight years old, a style of independence that would stay with her for the rest of her life. She said sometimes she would get headaches at school from not eating, but kept going, hiding this from her teachers.
She later worked at Peck's Drugstore at the age of 14 and a half, getting special permission to do so to put money in her pocket. She then attended Goodrich High School for one year while her Grandmother Ethel received cancer treatment before finishing back to Flint Central High School, where she started. She then attended Flint Junior College (now Mott CC) to be a nurse, but World War II broke out, and so she went to AC to make machine guns. (Because of this sacrifice, Mott CC later gave her an Honorary Degree in time for her 90th birthday a few years ago).
June then became a waitress after the war and met Grover Jr. at the Flint Tavern, where she knew he was giving her a bigger tip than he could afford, but she says she earned it because she cut peaches for his cereal. She had a boyfriend at the time, but dad never disrespected him or tried to break them up, and in fact, made out the baggage claim ticket so she could visit her boyfriend. This impressed her, and the rest was history. Dad would later tell her, "As soon as I laid my eyes on you, I knew I wanted to marry you."
Again taking charge and getting good tips, mom paid for the wedding and reception while dad was attending college, and mom even helped to pay for his school while he attended Wayne State. She later became a waitress at Cromer's back in Flint's heyday and waited on Charles Stewart Mott, Frank Manley, Dinah Shore, and Don Ameche before finally moving on to Howard Johnson's. When faced with a one-car situation at home, mom would make the sacrifice, walking a block to catch a bus to work, never complaining, okay, maybe just a little, lol.
Mom could best be described as a beautiful contrast of the most elegant woman that would walk in a room, eyes sparkling, dressed so expertly that it would make Elizabeth Taylor do a double-take, and yet worked hard at painting walls, doing drywall, mowing the yard, sewing, and cooking from scratch to take care of the family. Anyone who walked into her house was often met with, "Are you Hungry?" Of course, she was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and her claim to fame was cutting a hole in the ice by herself while awestruck cubbies looked on. During station wagon trips to the Drive-In or across the country, mom was always prepared with plenty of goodies and Tang. She helped everyone with their homework and encouraged her children to get a good education. She also liked to throw festive parties of self-prepared delicacies for both sides of the family, especially during Christmas. Dad would call her the "hostess with the mostest," and that was undoubtedly true. Mom and dad also bowled for 40+years and won their share of trophies, but we all knew it was about having a fun night out and enjoying a beer. And who could forget the many times they danced in the kitchen, sharing a glance and a kiss.
Later on, as senior citizens, mom and dad became world travelers, going on countless cruises (though she says it was 26) and flying too many more destinations. She also loved going to Soaring Eagle, she would say for the buffet, but what she really loved were those one-armed bandits. Along the way, she doted on her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas, and everyone else who came her way, including 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. She also had a strong belief in God and could often be heard in her room at night praying aloud and starting over if she missed someone.
Finally, mom would often say, "I lived a wonderful life," and she certainly did, as life is about perspective, and love, and joy, and hope. So mom, a job well done, and now we wish you well on this new journey and give you kisses for the road, and remember, dad will be easy to spot, he'll be in Heaven's kitchen, with a dozen red roses, waiting for a dance, and the cool thing about Heaven, there are no burned rolls. So save a spot for us, we will see you soon, and we will love you forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr, and sisters Lenora, Delores, and Hallie. She is survived by her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas and 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. Grandchildren include Heather, Pete, Connie (Steve), Curt (Jenny), John (Kate), Tiffany, Heidi, Amy (David), Sarah (James), Ashley, Isiah, Caroline, Kimberly, Cheyenne, and Kaylee. Great Grandchildren include Desiree (David), Paige (Kameron), Sierra, Colin, Micah, Hannah (Corian),Olivia, Curtis, Liliana, Emma, Daniel, Drew, Theo, Lennon, Alicia, Thomas, and Ella.
Funeral service will be held 1pm Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Visitation 1-8pm Friday, October 22, 2021 at the funeral home.
June was born in Flint, Michigan, on November 25, 1925, to parents Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr. Things were not perfect after her parents divorced. However, she stepped up and cooked for her sisters at the tender age of eight years old, a style of independence that would stay with her for the rest of her life. She said sometimes she would get headaches at school from not eating, but kept going, hiding this from her teachers.
She later worked at Peck's Drugstore at the age of 14 and a half, getting special permission to do so to put money in her pocket. She then attended Goodrich High School for one year while her Grandmother Ethel received cancer treatment before finishing back to Flint Central High School, where she started. She then attended Flint Junior College (now Mott CC) to be a nurse, but World War II broke out, and so she went to AC to make machine guns. (Because of this sacrifice, Mott CC later gave her an Honorary Degree in time for her 90th birthday a few years ago).
June then became a waitress after the war and met Grover Jr. at the Flint Tavern, where she knew he was giving her a bigger tip than he could afford, but she says she earned it because she cut peaches for his cereal. She had a boyfriend at the time, but dad never disrespected him or tried to break them up, and in fact, made out the baggage claim ticket so she could visit her boyfriend. This impressed her, and the rest was history. Dad would later tell her, "As soon as I laid my eyes on you, I knew I wanted to marry you."
Again taking charge and getting good tips, mom paid for the wedding and reception while dad was attending college, and mom even helped to pay for his school while he attended Wayne State. She later became a waitress at Cromer's back in Flint's heyday and waited on Charles Stewart Mott, Frank Manley, Dinah Shore, and Don Ameche before finally moving on to Howard Johnson's. When faced with a one-car situation at home, mom would make the sacrifice, walking a block to catch a bus to work, never complaining, okay, maybe just a little, lol.
Mom could best be described as a beautiful contrast of the most elegant woman that would walk in a room, eyes sparkling, dressed so expertly that it would make Elizabeth Taylor do a double-take, and yet worked hard at painting walls, doing drywall, mowing the yard, sewing, and cooking from scratch to take care of the family. Anyone who walked into her house was often met with, "Are you Hungry?" Of course, she was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and her claim to fame was cutting a hole in the ice by herself while awestruck cubbies looked on. During station wagon trips to the Drive-In or across the country, mom was always prepared with plenty of goodies and Tang. She helped everyone with their homework and encouraged her children to get a good education. She also liked to throw festive parties of self-prepared delicacies for both sides of the family, especially during Christmas. Dad would call her the "hostess with the mostest," and that was undoubtedly true. Mom and dad also bowled for 40+years and won their share of trophies, but we all knew it was about having a fun night out and enjoying a beer. And who could forget the many times they danced in the kitchen, sharing a glance and a kiss.
Later on, as senior citizens, mom and dad became world travelers, going on countless cruises (though she says it was 26) and flying too many more destinations. She also loved going to Soaring Eagle, she would say for the buffet, but what she really loved were those one-armed bandits. Along the way, she doted on her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas, and everyone else who came her way, including 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. She also had a strong belief in God and could often be heard in her room at night praying aloud and starting over if she missed someone.
Finally, mom would often say, "I lived a wonderful life," and she certainly did, as life is about perspective, and love, and joy, and hope. So mom, a job well done, and now we wish you well on this new journey and give you kisses for the road, and remember, dad will be easy to spot, he'll be in Heaven's kitchen, with a dozen red roses, waiting for a dance, and the cool thing about Heaven, there are no burned rolls. So save a spot for us, we will see you soon, and we will love you forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hallie (McClure) and Stephen Ketterer Jr, and sisters Lenora, Delores, and Hallie. She is survived by her children, Grover III (Paula) Thomas, Debbie (Jim) Patterson, Kevin Thomas, and John (Susan) Thomas and 15-Grandchildren and 17-Great Grand Children. Grandchildren include Heather, Pete, Connie (Steve), Curt (Jenny), John (Kate), Tiffany, Heidi, Amy (David), Sarah (James), Ashley, Isiah, Caroline, Kimberly, Cheyenne, and Kaylee. Great Grandchildren include Desiree (David), Paige (Kameron), Sierra, Colin, Micah, Hannah (Corian),Olivia, Curtis, Liliana, Emma, Daniel, Drew, Theo, Lennon, Alicia, Thomas, and Ella.
Funeral service will be held 1pm Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Visitation 1-8pm Friday, October 22, 2021 at the funeral home.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
