John F. Kirkpatrick

John F. Kirkpatrick
Rhodes, Michigan
John F. Kirkpatrick, age 79, passed away Sunday, September 17th, 2023, at his home in Rhodes, Michigan. He was born February 7th, 1944, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to the late Jack and Josephine (Smith) Kirkpatrick. John was a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He was a graduate of Sault Ste. Marie High School, class of 1963. John was a U.S. Navy Veteran, aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma City, a guided missile cruiser, during the Vietnam conflict. John worked at Consumers Energy for 35 years before retiring. He held several roles in his long career, retiring as a Maintenance Supervisor at the Karn Weadock Generating Plant in Essexville, MI. He was a dedicated employee and made many lifelong friendships during his career. He married the love of his life, Sharon D. Mull, and raised four children.
John's passion for the outdoors expressed itself in a strong affinity for hunting and fishing. He loved being outside hunting wild game, or on the water boating and catching fish. He also enjoyed bird watching in his backyard and tinkering with wood-working projects at his home. John's greatest joy and passion was his family, his wife of nearly 60 years, four children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. John also had many loyal and loving pets in his lifetime, especially his Australian Shepherd Shabby who patiently waited for him beyond the rainbow bridge. He was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church of Rhodes where he found peace in worship and fellowship of friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his children, John D. Kirkpatrick, of Midland, Michigan, Melissa M. Kirkpatrick (partner Frank Filiczkowski) of Bay City, Michigan, Janet K. (Kirkpatrick) Baranek, of Midland, Michigan (partner Douglas Jezak), Shaun F. (E'Lisa) Kirkpatrick, of Rhodes, Michigan; seven grandchildren: John D. (Josie) Kirkpatrick, Jessica Williams, Frankee (Jake) Milkowski, Kaleb Kiper, Morgan (father Anthony) Baranek, E'Liyah Gonzales, and Nicolas Gutierrez; great-grandchildren Lilly and Jackson Williams. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Judith C. Peters; brother-in-law Michael D. (Patricia) Mull, plus many nieces and nephews and those he considered to be his "extended family". He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Josephine (Smith) Kirkpatrick, in-laws Douglas and Winifred (Burden) Mull, brother Jack W. Kirkpatrick, sister Jean (Leon) Williams, and sister Jane (James) Eisenhauer.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 21st at 1 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, Rhodes, Michigan, with Pastor Roger Bauer presiding. Family will greet friends at the church from 10 am until the time of service. Those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Heart Association, or any U.S. veteran organization of your choosing.