John J. Gleason, Jr. of Sandusky, Michigan passed away on April 15th, 2014.

Loving husband of Joan M. (Gentner) Gleason; beloved father of LeaAnn (Gleason) & Daniel Palya of McKinney, Texas; Michael Gleason, Sr. of Humble, Texas and Janet Gleason of Sandusky, Michigan. Grandfather of Michael Gleason, Jr., Alyssa Gleason, Austin Palya, Nicholas Palya and Kelsey Palya. Loving brother of James Gleason, Fran Lewis and the late Patrick Gleason.

Born to the late John & Leona (Heilig) Gleason on October 31st,1937, in Harbor Beach and was raised in Minden City, Mi. John leaves behindbrother & sister in laws - Patricia (Gentner) Nelson, Gerald & Jean (Gentner) Rehfeldt, Mary Ann (Essenmacher) Genter and Gloria (Pulcer-Gleason) DeChane as well as numerous lovingnieces, nephews & cherished friends. He was preceded in death by Lorraine Gentner, Roy Nelson and Donald Gentner.

‘Jack’ attended school in Ruth, Michigan at St. Peter & Paul. It was there he met Joan - the two of them would marry & share over 56 years of life together. John enlisted in the Air Force upon graduation from High School where he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. His time in the Air Force took him to many foreign countries and allowed him to forge lasting friendships. We will remember fondly the many stories he has shared of his time in the service.

Jack & Joan married on December 27, 1958.After ending his tour in the Air Force, the couple settled in Elkton, MI and later moved to Marlette where Jack was the Purchasing Manager for Marlette Homes. His career granted him the opportunity to travel &meet many people from all walks of life. We often marveled that Jack always knew someone from somewhere - he seldom was anywhere he did not have a friend.Jack later retired from Oetiker. He and Joan then built their home in the woods near Sandusky where they treasure their friendship with dear neighbors, John & Patsy Presnell.

Jack had a special love for the Great Lakes. His father was the first mate on the iron ore freighters that traveled the Lakes and Jack worked in Monroe, MI in the shipyards during his summers in high school. Jack took the helm of his sailboat after he retired when he and daughter, Janet, bought the Zephyr. Together the Gleason family sailed the waters of Lake Huron off the shore of Port Sanilac. Wonderful family memories were made as the family summered for many years at Bark Shanty. Grandchildren learned to sail, fish, swim & build sandcastles under Grandpa’s watch. Summers were about checking the sailing forecast for the day and sitting on the porch watching the freighters. His love for the Great Lakes will live on. John passed away after a brief battle with cancer. His beloved wife and children were by his side.

Funeral mass to be held at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ruth, MI at a future date.

To convey online condolences, please visit www.rosewood.cc

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the MDA MG Research fund.