John Williams

JOHN D. WILLIAMS Sr., 93, of Yale, formerly of Mancelona, died on June 20, 2010 at Medilodge of Yale. John was the youngest of 13 children born to John and Laura (Thomas) Williams on July 21, 1916. John was born on Cedar River Road in Mancelona and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Engineering Corp in Germany. He was a journeyman tool & die maker, retiring from Dura Corporation of Adrian in 1980. Following retirement, he returned to his beloved Green River Schoolhouse in 1980 where he went to school as a young boy. He was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Adrian as well as St. Anthony Catholic Church in Mancelona. On March 3, 1940 John married Anna Kraemer of East Jordan. Anna preceded him in death on Nov. 3, 2008. Also preceding him in death were a son Mark Williams and his parents. John and Anna raised their 11 children in the house they built on Siena Hts. Drive in Adrian. Surviving are 10 children, Rae Doppler of Centerpoint,TX., Kaye (John) Afonica of Ida, MI., Carol (Darrell) Melton of West Jefferson, N.C., Marcia Gaines of Traverse City, Nancy Wilder of Traverse City, John Williams Jr. of Ann Arbor, David Williams of Fenton, Ann (John) Uhring of Applegate, MI., Matt (Kris) Williams of Tecumseh, MI., Jeff (Karen) Williams of Westland. Also surviving are a sister Esther Tannehill of Mancelona, 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be on Thur., June 24, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church in Bellaire. Fr. Gary McInnis will officiate. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mancelona. Visitation will be on Wed. from 5-9 p.m. at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Memorial donations may be made to the family. Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.