John Robert Schulze 1925-2009
DEE, SCHULZE, MILLER, BIGSBY, OKENKA, TROENDLE, MILLER, GREEN, TOKIE, STEIBER, BAKENHUS
Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 12/16/2009 at 13:31:27
John Robert Schulze of Davison, MI passed away October 21, 2009 at the age of 84.
John was born in Lansing June 3, 1925, the youngest child of Gustave C. and Gertrude (Dee) Schulze. John attended Lansing Public Schools and was a Veteran of World War II. In 1943, his senior year at Lansing Public High School, John voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy and joined the Naval Construction Battalion, the Seabees (CB). The Seabee Battalion was trained to fight as well as build, and could do either at the drop of a helmet.
John spent the next three years mainly in the Marianas Islands, in the Pacific Theater, constructing airfields, roads, piers and bunkers. In Saipan, the CBs fought heroically and built the island's lasting infrastructure. The Seabees, literally, fought and built “The Road to Tokyo” for our troops, paving the way to victory over Japan. For this, John was awarded the Victory Medal in addition to the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal.
He served with the 137th NCB, 121st NCB and NCBMU 595 and attained the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd class. He also operated a LST (Landing Ship Tank) transporting troops and tanks from ship to shore. Through out his lifetime, John lived each day by the motto of the Seabees: “Can do”.
John did not finish his senior year, but instead chose to go off to war as had his brothers Bill - an Army medic - and Harris - an Aviation Machinist's Mate in the Navy. John was awarded his high school diploma based on his academic achievements, and he was honored for his patriotism.
In Chicago, IL, April 13, 1946, a mere week after being discharged from the service at the Great Lakes Naval Base, John Schulze took Lawanda Miller as his wife. John and Wanda were blessed with two daughters. They appreciated having their daughters and their families living nearby, allowing them to share many joyful times with one another. John and Wanda spent over 50 happy years together in Michigan. In the last several years of their marriage, John lovingly and with great patience took care of Wanda each day until she passed away from Alzheimer's February 4, 2005.
John was employed as the manager of Burton Automatic Transmission; he later owned and operated McGovern & Schulze Motorcycle Sales & Service. After retiring, he kept busy keeping up the grounds of his son-in-law Dan’s law practice. He was always available to lend a helping hand on his daughter Judy and Randy’s farms.
John passed away at his own home, as he wished, doing what he loved most, landscaping with his faithful companion, Cindy, at his side. John worked tirelessly every day of his life, including the day he passed. Whether it was mowing lawns or planting trees, shrubs or tending flower beds, he did what he loved. He loved spending time and hunting with his 87-year-old brother, Harris. John and Harris had just come home from a bow hunting trip the week before at John’s property in northern Michigan where John built his own hunting cabin, which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends.
John loved to talk and visit with friends and family, loved spending time with his grandchildren, and he so enjoyed the weekly get-togethers with neighbors. John appreciated and enjoyed the trips his daughter, Gail, took him on, especially the trip to Las Vegas; he was always one lucky gambler. He had a keen interest in photography stemming back to his Seabee days when he asked his sister, Gladys, to mail her camera to him when he was stationed in Honolulu, HI. His sisters, Helen and Myrna, supplied him with film. He always said, “a picture is the best souvenir.”
John was an avid sportsman and loved racing and riding motorcycles; even teaching his daughter, Judy, to ride and race. John instilled his love of nature and adventure in each of his girls. John was a man of good humor and never one to complain. He will be missed and remembered by all who knew him.
John is survived by his two daughters, Gail (Dan) Bigsby of Metamora, MI and Judy (Randy) Okenka of Lennon, MI; four grandchildren, Sarah Bigsby (Kevin) Lee, and Matthew, Renee and Stephen Okenka; a great granddaughter, Addison Lee; one brother, Harris (Marilyn) Schulze of White Lake, MI; two sisters, Rita Troendle and Gladys Troendle, both of Lansing. He is further survived by brothers-in-law, John (Iris) Miller and Bill Green, both of MI; sisters-in-law, Betty Tokie of Michigan and Charlene Schulze of Clinton. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, his family of neighbors, and his beloved companion, Cindy.
In addition to his parents and wife, Wanda, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Marvin Schulze and William (Bill) Schulze; and his sisters, Myrna Steiber and Helen Bakenhus.
Graveside services with military rights were held Wednesday, November 4. John and Wanda’s ashes were placed at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.
Waukon, Iowa newspaper, THE STANDARD, December 2, 2009. Contributor is not related and has no further information.
Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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