John Seekman

Someone who was so full of life, John Seekman was truly a unique man to know and love. He squeezed every last drop out of life that he could and seemingly left nothing undone that he wanted to accomplish. A devoted family man, John deeply loved his children and grandchildren more than anything else in this world. He always told the best stories and could make others laugh with ease. Although he was quiet, John never let an opportunity to flirt with a lady pass him by, and he especially loved playfully teasing his waitresses. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want John leaves behind a deeply embedded footprint that will remain for generations to come.

During the dark days of the Great Depression of the 1930s, countless Americans found themselves without work, without homes, and without hope for reprieve anywhere in sight. People banded together and made the best of things where they could and delighted in the joys that life still had to bring. The year 1936 was a year of great celebration in one young family from Watson Township, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on February 22nd. Baby John was welcomed into the family of John and Winnie (Zoet) Seekman as one of eight children. He was raised in the family home alongside his siblings: Marie, Eddie Mae, Shirley, Harley “Bud,” Joann, Dorothy, and Richard.

From his earliest years John was a hard worker. He picked pickles and beans, and he also slopped the hogs, too. John attended a one-room schoolhouse where he played baseball as a young boy. He got into his fair share of mischief from time to time as well, and he had a scar on his arm from getting stepped on by a horse to prove it. John attended school through the eighth grade at the Osborn School House in Watson Township.

John’s years in the workforce found him employed primarily as a truck driver. For 43 years he worked at the Plainwell Paper Company, and he was also a member of their union. It was always a good day at the paper mill when John cooked out on the shipping dock. The guys from work frequently brought him some fish or venison to prepare in the skillet. In fact, he cooked so much there that he even had a special shelf in the cabinet just for his famous skillet. These meals were memorable not only because of John’s expertise, but also because it was a real feast as everyone else usually brought a dish to pass. After the meal was completed everyone else went back to work, but John usually snuck back to his truck for a quick nap. He retired from the paper mill in 1998. John founded : "John's Excavating" in the late seventies and enjoyed doing excavating work from then on as well.

Although his work was an important aspect of his life, there was nothing of greater importance to John than his loved ones. In 1954 he married a woman named Darlene “Dar.” Although their marriage later ended, John was forever grateful for the children they shared together: Jerry, Joyce, Jeanie, Joni, and Joe. He found love again with Winona “Noni” Rankin, and she had four children of her own: Saundra, Nick, Mike, and Wendy.

Some time later John met Kay Greene with whom he spent nearly 20 years. They worked at the paper mill together and made their home in Martin. She brought her four children including Cheryl, Don, Rod, and Jeff into the relationship. Most recently John had been living with Theresa.

As the years went by John shared so many memorable times with his children. It was a proud day when he bought his daughter, Joyce, her first car - a ’66 galaxy. He always called his daughter, Jeanie, squirt, and she relished the day when she was finally taller than her father, rendering his pet name for her null and void. Jerry will never forget the time his father bought him his first “toy” - a bulldozer for John's Excavating in the late seventies. John struggled a bit to master it and although it was quite the undertaking, he kept smiling and laughing right along with Jerry while he repeatedly asked, “How do I make it go?” Jerry laughed himself to sleep that night after he recalled his father’s comical yet valiant struggle that day. During the spring of 2008 John went out to the Moab Trail with his daughter, Joyce, so she could take him jeep off roading. She gave him the ride of his life as he was convinced that she would tip them over. Her father made it perfectly clear that he would feel much safer if he was able to either get out or drive himself!

Throughout his life John was a man of many interests as he was always one to keep busy. Perhaps his favorite activity was being out in the woods cutting his own firewood, which was really more like a sport to John. No matter the weather he hated wearing his coat, and when working outside it was rare to find him even wearing a shirt. In the mid-seventies he played softball with his son, Jerry, and he also enjoyed bowling from time to time. John was a fantastic cook whose specialties included ham and scalloped potatoes, and he also was the one who did the dishes after their wonderful holiday meals. He had fun restoring antique tractors and attending auctions, and he never could resist a cold beer. John loved telling stories, and he always followed each one with a gentle nudge and a polite, “you know?” His 16 grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy, and he loved spending time with them whenever he could. He very much enjoyed going to watch them play sports they were involved with, whether it be a basketball, football or soccer game, there was a good chance you would find him in the stands.

John passed away unexpectedly early Friday morning, November 4, 2011 at Bronson hospital with his family by his side.

Some will remember John Seekman for his strong work ethic while others will recall his mouthwatering feasts, but his unending love for his family will be his greatest legacy. He could be a bit stubborn at times such as how he refused to wear his hearing aids, yet he was the sort of man who would do anything for anyone within his reach. John will be deeply missed by many.