Big Rapids – John Francis Emmons, 88, of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, January 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born January 19, 1931 in Big Rapids, the son of Albert and Dorothy (Manahan) Emmons, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1948. His family owned Emmons Dairy, and John and his brother Charles would deliver milk before attending high school. He earned all-state in high school football and also played at Ferris State University. From 1954 – 1955, John served in the U.S. Army. He returned to Big Rapids and in 1956, he married Joanne C. Gregory. John continued in the family business until 1980, and then worked for fifteen years as a sales agent for A.A.L.(Aid Association for Lutherans) Insurance until retiring. In his later years, he earned his Accounting Degree from Ferris State University.
John was strongly committed to his faith, family, and country. He dedicated his life to making a difference in the world and in the lives of the people around him. John was a longtime active member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church where he served as an elder. A loving father and grandfather, John shared his zest for life with those around him. John was an avid fisherman teaching all of his grandchildren to fish. He was known to take along a fishing rod even when traveling abroad to England. He was a lifelong hunter and member of the National Rifle Association. A natural musician, he played the accordion, violin, and harmonica and sang for many years in the church choir.
John was passionate about the founding principles of the United States. A strong believer in the U.S. Constitution, he gave away thousands of copies and carried multiple copies with him to give away to anyone he met and to local high schools. He was very active in Republican party politics, receiving a lifetime achievement award in 2017 from the Mecosta County Republican party. He was treasurer of the Big Rapids Township for 18 years and Mecosta County Commissioner for 4 years. He was also a longtime member of the Sons of the Union Veterans, Farm Bureau, and the American Legion.
John is survived by his wife Joanne; their two daughters, Sarah (David) Nutter of Eugene, OR, and Dorothy (Glenn) Bancroft of Spokane, WA; 6 grandchildren, Neill (Jaclyn), John (Réka), and Ian Nutter, Hannah, Heidi, and Henry Bancroft; 5 great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Anthony, Alyson, Ayden, and Tas; one sister Adeline Emmons of Kalamazoo; sister-in-law Joyce Emmons of Big Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles Emmons and sister Kathleen Course.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2020, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jonathan Williams officiating. Military honors will follow under the auspices of American Legion Post #98 Honor Guard. Spring burial will be in the Highland View Cemetery. John's family will greet friends from 3 – 6 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids and at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the east entrance improvements.
He was born January 19, 1931 in Big Rapids, the son of Albert and Dorothy (Manahan) Emmons, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1948. His family owned Emmons Dairy, and John and his brother Charles would deliver milk before attending high school. He earned all-state in high school football and also played at Ferris State University. From 1954 – 1955, John served in the U.S. Army. He returned to Big Rapids and in 1956, he married Joanne C. Gregory. John continued in the family business until 1980, and then worked for fifteen years as a sales agent for A.A.L.(Aid Association for Lutherans) Insurance until retiring. In his later years, he earned his Accounting Degree from Ferris State University.
John was strongly committed to his faith, family, and country. He dedicated his life to making a difference in the world and in the lives of the people around him. John was a longtime active member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church where he served as an elder. A loving father and grandfather, John shared his zest for life with those around him. John was an avid fisherman teaching all of his grandchildren to fish. He was known to take along a fishing rod even when traveling abroad to England. He was a lifelong hunter and member of the National Rifle Association. A natural musician, he played the accordion, violin, and harmonica and sang for many years in the church choir.
John was passionate about the founding principles of the United States. A strong believer in the U.S. Constitution, he gave away thousands of copies and carried multiple copies with him to give away to anyone he met and to local high schools. He was very active in Republican party politics, receiving a lifetime achievement award in 2017 from the Mecosta County Republican party. He was treasurer of the Big Rapids Township for 18 years and Mecosta County Commissioner for 4 years. He was also a longtime member of the Sons of the Union Veterans, Farm Bureau, and the American Legion.
John is survived by his wife Joanne; their two daughters, Sarah (David) Nutter of Eugene, OR, and Dorothy (Glenn) Bancroft of Spokane, WA; 6 grandchildren, Neill (Jaclyn), John (Réka), and Ian Nutter, Hannah, Heidi, and Henry Bancroft; 5 great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Anthony, Alyson, Ayden, and Tas; one sister Adeline Emmons of Kalamazoo; sister-in-law Joyce Emmons of Big Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles Emmons and sister Kathleen Course.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2020, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jonathan Williams officiating. Military honors will follow under the auspices of American Legion Post #98 Honor Guard. Spring burial will be in the Highland View Cemetery. John's family will greet friends from 3 – 6 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids and at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the east entrance improvements.
Big Rapids – John Francis Emmons, 88, of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, January 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born January 19, 1931 in Big Rapids, the son of Albert and Dorothy (Manahan) Emmons, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1948. His family owned Emmons Dairy, and John and his brother Charles would deliver milk before attending high school. He earned all-state in high school football and also played at Ferris State University. From 1954 – 1955, John served in the U.S. Army. He returned to Big Rapids and in 1956, he married Joanne C. Gregory. John continued in the family business until 1980, and then worked for fifteen years as a sales agent for A.A.L.(Aid Association for Lutherans) Insurance until retiring. In his later years, he earned his Accounting Degree from Ferris State University.
John was strongly committed to his faith, family, and country. He dedicated his life to making a difference in the world and in the lives of the people around him. John was a longtime active member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church where he served as an elder. A loving father and grandfather, John shared his zest for life with those around him. John was an avid fisherman teaching all of his grandchildren to fish. He was known to take along a fishing rod even when traveling abroad to England. He was a lifelong hunter and member of the National Rifle Association. A natural musician, he played the accordion, violin, and harmonica and sang for many years in the church choir.
John was passionate about the founding principles of the United States. A strong believer in the U.S. Constitution, he gave away thousands of copies and carried multiple copies with him to give away to anyone he met and to local high schools. He was very active in Republican party politics, receiving a lifetime achievement award in 2017 from the Mecosta County Republican party. He was treasurer of the Big Rapids Township for 18 years and Mecosta County Commissioner for 4 years. He was also a longtime member of the Sons of the Union Veterans, Farm Bureau, and the American Legion.
John is survived by his wife Joanne; their two daughters, Sarah (David) Nutter of Eugene, OR, and Dorothy (Glenn) Bancroft of Spokane, WA; 6 grandchildren, Neill (Jaclyn), John (Réka), and Ian Nutter, Hannah, Heidi, and Henry Bancroft; 5 great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Anthony, Alyson, Ayden, and Tas; one sister Adeline Emmons of Kalamazoo; sister-in-law Joyce Emmons of Big Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles Emmons and sister Kathleen Course.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2020, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jonathan Williams officiating. Military honors will follow under the auspices of American Legion Post #98 Honor Guard. Spring burial will be in the Highland View Cemetery. John's family will greet friends from 3 – 6 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids and at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the east entrance improvements.
He was born January 19, 1931 in Big Rapids, the son of Albert and Dorothy (Manahan) Emmons, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1948. His family owned Emmons Dairy, and John and his brother Charles would deliver milk before attending high school. He earned all-state in high school football and also played at Ferris State University. From 1954 – 1955, John served in the U.S. Army. He returned to Big Rapids and in 1956, he married Joanne C. Gregory. John continued in the family business until 1980, and then worked for fifteen years as a sales agent for A.A.L.(Aid Association for Lutherans) Insurance until retiring. In his later years, he earned his Accounting Degree from Ferris State University.
John was strongly committed to his faith, family, and country. He dedicated his life to making a difference in the world and in the lives of the people around him. John was a longtime active member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church where he served as an elder. A loving father and grandfather, John shared his zest for life with those around him. John was an avid fisherman teaching all of his grandchildren to fish. He was known to take along a fishing rod even when traveling abroad to England. He was a lifelong hunter and member of the National Rifle Association. A natural musician, he played the accordion, violin, and harmonica and sang for many years in the church choir.
John was passionate about the founding principles of the United States. A strong believer in the U.S. Constitution, he gave away thousands of copies and carried multiple copies with him to give away to anyone he met and to local high schools. He was very active in Republican party politics, receiving a lifetime achievement award in 2017 from the Mecosta County Republican party. He was treasurer of the Big Rapids Township for 18 years and Mecosta County Commissioner for 4 years. He was also a longtime member of the Sons of the Union Veterans, Farm Bureau, and the American Legion.
John is survived by his wife Joanne; their two daughters, Sarah (David) Nutter of Eugene, OR, and Dorothy (Glenn) Bancroft of Spokane, WA; 6 grandchildren, Neill (Jaclyn), John (Réka), and Ian Nutter, Hannah, Heidi, and Henry Bancroft; 5 great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Anthony, Alyson, Ayden, and Tas; one sister Adeline Emmons of Kalamazoo; sister-in-law Joyce Emmons of Big Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles Emmons and sister Kathleen Course.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2020, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jonathan Williams officiating. Military honors will follow under the auspices of American Legion Post #98 Honor Guard. Spring burial will be in the Highland View Cemetery. John's family will greet friends from 3 – 6 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids and at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the east entrance improvements.
Inscription
BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO
DEATH AND I WILL GIVE
THEE A CROWN OF LIFE
REVELATION 2:10
GOD FAMILY COUNTRY
US ARMY 1953-1955
MARRIED JUNE 9, 1956
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Headstone damaged in winter storm, 2022.
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