John H. Flewelling

John H. Flewelling Naples FL John H. Flewelling, age 96, died Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Born in Dowagiac, MI on June 14, 1913, John was the son of Lyle and Elene (Hynes) Flewelling. Elene died when he was a toddler; since Lyle was unable to raise him and also tend to the farm, John lived with his aunt, Mother Assisium, at the Catholic hospital in Jackson. When she was transferred to Lansing, John moved with her to live at St. Lawrence Hospital and spent summers with his father in Dowagiac. Working for 33 cents an hour in the Oldsmobile Parts Department in Lansing, and doing bookkeeping at St. Lawrence Hospital at night, John earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Michigan State University. He joined Tranter Manufacturing in the late 1940's as Treasurer and stayed with the firm until he retired in 1978; by then he had become a major stockholder, Vice-President for Finance, and Secretary-Treasurer. John was also active with Rotary and the YMCA. He was married to Mary Jane MacKichan for 45 years until her death in 1981. He married Janie Reasoner in 1983 and they became Florida residents in 1985; Janie died last November. John is survived by his children: Mary Ann Austin, John (Jean) Flewelling, Rob (Pam) Flewelling and Tom (Denali) Flewelling; step-children Brooke Reasoner, Pat (Jim) Hilton, Kit (Bill) Rheaume and Betsy Davis; 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Memorial services for John will take place at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lansing at 12 noon on Friday, November 27, 2009. Friends can remember John with donations to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 218 W. Ottawa St, Lansing MI 48933; or, to Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, 11145 Tamiami Trail E, Naples FL 34113.