1931
John
2015
John Hayes Greer
November 29, 1931 — November 22, 2015
GREER, JOHN HAYES
11/29/1931 - 11/22/2015
John Hayes Greer, 83, passed away with his family at his side on Sunday, November 22 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. John was born in Sikeston, Missouri, on November 29, 1931, and at age five journeyed with his mother Eleanor to Kalamazoo, MI, where he made his home.
At age 16, from 1947-51, he served as a combat paratrooper in the 11th Army Airborne "Hells Angels" during the Korean War. Upon returning from Korea, he met Vlasta Chlebana and married on June 6, 1953 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo.
John was a voracious reader, and an avid hunter as well, never missing an opening day of deer, partridge or pheasant season. He enjoyed mushrooming with Vlasta and family, which included countless trips to the family cabin that he built in Freesoil. John also loved biking, walking, playing cards, boating, golfing, tennis, and numerous outdoor activities. He also liked music of all kinds, including attending many concerts at Mattawan High School and the Gull Lake Jazz Band.
He loved talking with his customers at his party store, Douglas Avenue Food and Beverage, where he spent many hours building a successful business.
John spent many summer nights on the front porch of his Eagle Lake home socializing with his friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife Vlasta Greer of Kalamazoo, his children Kreg Greer, (Christine) Greer
of Marquette, Mark Greer, (Carolyn) of Kalamazoo, Michele of Kalamazoo, Cris (Anita) Greer of Jenison and nine grandchildren Kreggy, Devin, Anastasia, Connor, Aaron, Anna, Joey, Andy, Hayes (Ashley).
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to meet with the family at noon at the St. John Bosco Hall followed by a catholic mass at 1 p.m. and luncheon at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 at St. John Bosco Church, 23830 Front St., Mattawan, MI 49071. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel. Please visit John's personalized web page at www.langelands.com to sign the on-line guest book or leave a message for the family. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to St. John Bosco Church.
**CHARITY**
In lieu of flowers:
St. John Bosco Church
23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI 49071
23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI, US, 49071
23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI, US, 49071
23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI, US, 49071
11/29/1931 - 11/22/2015
John Hayes Greer, 83, passed away with his family at his side on Sunday, November 22 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. John was born in Sikeston, Missouri, on November 29, 1931, and at age five journeyed with his mother Eleanor to Kalamazoo, MI, where he made his home.
At age 16, from 1947-51, he served as a combat paratrooper in the 11th Army Airborne "Hells Angels" during the Korean War. Upon returning from Korea, he met Vlasta Chlebana and married on June 6, 1953 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo.
John was a voracious reader, and an avid hunter as well, never missing an opening day of deer, partridge or pheasant season. He enjoyed mushrooming with Vlasta and family, which included countless trips to the family cabin that he built in Freesoil. John also loved biking, walking, playing cards, boating, golfing, tennis, and numerous outdoor activities. He also liked music of all kinds, including attending many concerts at Mattawan High School and the Gull Lake Jazz Band.
He loved talking with his customers at his party store, Douglas Avenue Food and Beverage, where he spent many hours building a successful business.
John spent many summer nights on the front porch of his Eagle Lake home socializing with his friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife Vlasta Greer of Kalamazoo, his children Kreg Greer, (Christine) Greer
of Marquette, Mark Greer, (Carolyn) of Kalamazoo, Michele of Kalamazoo, Cris (Anita) Greer of Jenison and nine grandchildren Kreggy, Devin, Anastasia, Connor, Aaron, Anna, Joey, Andy, Hayes (Ashley).
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to meet with the family at noon at the St. John Bosco Hall followed by a catholic mass at 1 p.m. and luncheon at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 at St. John Bosco Church, 23830 Front St., Mattawan, MI 49071. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel. Please visit John's personalized web page at www.langelands.com to sign the on-line guest book or leave a message for the family. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to St. John Bosco Church.
**CHARITY**
In lieu of flowers:
St. John Bosco Church
23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI 49071
Visitation
NOV 25. 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
St. John Bosco Catholic Church23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI, US, 49071
Service
NOV 25. 01:00 PM
St. John Bosco Catholic Church23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI, US, 49071
Luncheon
NOV 25. 02:00 PM
St. John Bosco Catholic Church23830 Front St.
Mattawan, MI, US, 49071
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Hayes Greer, please visit our flower store.
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