John Wellington Shier

John Wellington Shier John Wellington Shier died peacefully on Thursday September 3, 2009 at the age of 86 after a short illness. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. He was born to Elroy W. and Loretta Anne Shier in Detroit on April 25, 1923. Being drafted into the Army during World War II gave him the opportunity to attend the University of Michigan as he was assigned to the ASTP engineering program. While at U. of M. he was the Drum Major in the Marching Band. The Army then reassigned him to the 76th Infantry Division, as a combat infantryman, in Patton's 3rd Army. He served in the European Theatre in Luxembourg and on to Prague, Czechoslovakia until the German surrender in 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor during the campaign. He returned to Detroit on December 22, 1945 and enrolled in the engineering school at Wayne State University graduating in June 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1958, and was honored later with the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Achievement award (1983). He was enrolled as a charter member of the Hall of Fame of the engineering school in 1983, and was inducted into the engineering honorary, Tau Beta Pi. John married Louise Binkley on January 1, 1944 and remained happily married for 65 years. He and Louise moved to Port Huron where he started his career with the Acheson Colloids Company. John advanced through the corporation beginning as Production Manager from 1950-1955, then to General Manager from 1955-1969, becoming Vice President of manufacturing and engineering from 1970- 1975, and finally Executive Vice President extending from 1975-1988. He was elected a director of Acheson Industries, Acheson Industries Europe Ltd, and Acheson Japan, Brazil, and a number of other entities. He remained a director of the Corporation until 1998. He was involved with the expansion into Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Korea. He also provided technical and manufacturing advice to the U.K., Netherlands, and Australia. John was very active in community affairs throughout his life. He sat on the Board of Trustees of Mercy Hospital for 30 years and served as President from 1978 to 1984. He was a Director then President of the Board of the YMCA in Port Huron from 1955 to 1958 and was named a Life Member in 1988. He served as a Port Huron District (later the Community Foundation) Foundation Trustee from 1958 to 1985 and was elected President in 1984. He maintained a seat on the Foundation board until 2008. He served other community organizations including: the Marydale Center for Seniors, Catholic Social Services, the Sanborn Home and the St. Clair County Community College Foundation Board of Directors. With four others he helped to found the Port Huron Minor Hockey Association and was involved in organization of the first Silver Stick Tournaments. John was the recipient of a number of community service awards including: the Community Foundations Distinguished Service Award in 2003. He was presented with the Spirit of Port Huron Civic achievement award in 1987 by the Port Huron City Council. He was awarded the John R. Hogan Humanitarian award in 1997. He received Community Foundation's 50-year service award in 2008 John was a longstanding member of the Port Huron Golf Club and served as president in 1971. He and Louise were long time members of Formal Dance Club and he was a member of Blue Water Syndicate Investment Club. He also served on the board of the Michigan Seniors Golf Association and was a two term chairman of the membership committee. Both Louise and John were parishioners at St. Stephen Church as part of the Holy Trinity parish. John enjoyed his duties as a reader at Mass. John is survived by Louise, his loving wife of 65 years; six children, Michael (Jill), Nancy Johnson (Paul) of Port Sanilac, Dianne, Susan Middlemas (James) of Ann Arbor, Patti and John Jr. (Cindy) of Northville; seven grandchildren, Kristine Edie (Robert), Michael Jr., Andrew, Jeffrey Harwood (Anne) of Vancouver, WA, Stephen Middlemas of Astoria, NY, Sarah Middlemas (Don MacDonald) of Ypsilanti, and Anna Johnson (Marc Andersen) of Seattle, WA; six great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, Alex and Adam Shier, Claudia and Elise Edie and Calum MacDonald; and two great-great-grandchildren. A celebratory Mass will be held on Wednesday September 9, 2009 at St. Stephen Catholic Church at 12:00 noon preceded by one hour of visitation at the church. Visitation at the Smith Family Funeral Home (North) 1525 Hancock St., Port Huron, MI will be on Monday September 7, 2009 from 6-9:00 and on Tuesday September 8, 2009 from 2-4:00 and 6-9:00 with a Scriptural Wake service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Contributions may be made in John's memory to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County or charity of the donor's choice. Go to http://www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com for further information and directions.