John James Brecheisen

John James Brecheisen, age 71, of Goetzville, Michigan, died on December 7, 2025, at his home. He was born on October 10, 1954, in Petoskey, Michigan, to Marion "Bud" and Alta (Aldrich) Brecheisen.

John grew up in Petoskey, where he met his first wife, and together the young couple welcomed his first daughter. A few years later, he moved to Texas, where he met his second wife and celebrated the birth of his second daughter. While living in Texas, John was proud to have started his own business, a small engine repair shop, where he also sold lawnmowers. After several years, he returned to Petoskey. Later, he met Betty while they worked at the Odawa Casino. John and Betty moved to the Upper Peninsula and married on December 31, 2009, spending fifteen blessed years together. They lived in Pickford and Moran before settling in Goetzville.

John was always tinkering, fixing, or building something, especially for his grandchildren, who could always count on him to repair a toy, gadget, or tool. Through the years he was known for teaching many grandchildren how to play countless board games and would also play right along in a good game of baseball. He had a lifelong love for movies and music and spent countless hours recording tapes or listening to his collection of CDs.

John is survived by his spouse, Betty Brecheisen; daughters, Kelly Brecheisen and Courtney Hardman; step-children, Jennifer (Bryan) Murphy, Scott Michalski, Nikki (Andrew), and Emily (Kevin) Sharp; grandchildren, Adrienne Kay Brecheisen, Emily Katherine Brecheisen, Grayson Wayne Brecheisen, Chelsea, Kelsea, Kayla, Dylan, Davin, Kia, April, Stanley, Scott Jr., David, Kevin Jr., Kalob, Kody, Nicholas, Jenna, Maxwell, Wyatt, Kiley, and Kody; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Michaela, Jackson, Lucas, Rileigh, Bo, Dawson, and Gideon; and sisters, Susan Wiseman and Kristie Brecheisen.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Logan Lee and Orlie Brecheisen, and Benjamin and Anita Aldrich; his parents, Marion J. "Bud" and Alta Brecheisen; and nephew, Benjamin Mason.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2026 at the family home.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.