John J. Heering Jr.

John J. Heering Jr.

Fort Gratiot

John J. Heering Jr., age 98 of Fort Gratiot died peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2015.  He was born February 25, 1917 to John and Eunice Heering and was a life-long resident of the Port Huron area.

John was raised on the Campau above a country store that his parents owned from 1917 to 1945.  He grew up working in the store where he learned about friendship, responsibility, community, and laughter.  His parents gave him a wonderful childhood that carried him throughout his entire life.

His passions included his family, music, dancing, sports, and U of M football.  His enjoyment of sports evolved into employment.  He taught and coached for 39 years in the Port Huron Area School District, where he collected three generations of memories and friends.  He was athletic director at Port Huron Central from 1971 until his retirement in 1978. He was honored for his work in athletics when he was inducted into the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame, and the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

John married Enid Hollister in 1939.  Enid passed away on June 29, 2006.  They were married for 67 years.

He is survived by his devoted children, Linda (William) Sanderson of Sparta, Ontario and Richard "Rick" (Marlene) Heering of Marysville, a daughter-in-law, Sandra (Walter) Wypych, grandchildren, John (Andrea) Heering IV, Todd (Kim) Heering, Jeff Kerr, William (Shelley) Sanderson II, Holly Sanderson, Patrick (Tara) Sanderson, Kristin (Vaughn) Thompson, and Matthew (Lindsay) Heering; 12 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, a son, John J. Heering III, a sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Preston Schroeder.

Before he was a teenager John worked in the family grocery store stacking shelves and running errands, even biking into Port Huron to do the banking.

After graduating from Port Huron High School where he starred in football and baseball from 1931 to 1934, John attended U of M where he earned a B.S. in Physical Education, often hitchhiking home on weekends to help his Dad in the store. Later in life he returned to U of M to earn a M.A. in Education.

John loved music throughout his life and dancing was a lifelong pleasure. He spent hundreds of hours recording music, often several versions of the same song on a cassette tape.

As a young father he supported his family as a teacher, a YMCA swimming instructor and as a postman during summers. He also enjoyed community volunteering by leading Boy Scout troops and coaching Babe Ruth teams.

John was a very social man. He enjoyed his memories and made wise and funny observations about life. Toward the end he smiled and spoke softly to an attending nurse saying "Don't come close, it's catchy".

A Memorial Lunch will take place at the Port Huron Golf Club on June 6 beginning at 11 a.m. sharp. Space is limited and reservations by June 1 are required. On line RSVPs are preferred. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KGJN3JY to RSVP on line. For only those without internet access please call Andrea Heering at (810) 531-2128.

Memorials may be made in John's memory to the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame. Contact Ron Toles, Chairman, (810) 841-2564. Cremation has taken place and internment arrangements at Grace Episcopal Church columbarium will be made by the family.

Funeral arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-North, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron.

www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com.