John Riske Obituary

Name: Visitation for John Riske
Start: 2024-12-02T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-12-02T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Cole Funeral Chapel - Chelsea

Age 76, died Thursday, November 28, 2024 at Chelsea Hospital. He was born April 24, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Edwin A. and Gertrude E. (Gagern) Riske.
John attended Lutheran East High School and graduated in 1966. He attended EMU, and then Concordia Seminary in Springfield, IL John was a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Pastor who served churches in Hale, MI, Glennie, MI, Bach, MI, and finally at St. Thomas Lutheran in Ann Arbor before retiring from ministry. John's passion was music. He enjoyed playing the piano, organ and singing, he also played the organ at various churches, most notably for Mt. Calvary Church in Detroit and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea. John was currently a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. John liked telling jokes, goofing around with his family, and playing with his grandchildren.
On June 21, 1969, John married Lois Blystone at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, and she survives. Other survivors include his children, Michael of Manchester, Sarah (Greggory) Twietmeyer of Starkville, Mississippi, and Stephen of Manchester; seven grandchildren, Jason (Lauren) and Jordan Riske, Aaron, Luke, Elsa, Emily, and Isaiah Twietmeyer; his siblings, Ed (Karin) Riske of Chelsea, Ruth Hartwick of Storm Lake, Iowa, Grace (Dale) Rosema of Grand Rapids, Lois (John) Sullivan of Mandeville, Louisiana, and James (Theresa) Riske of Shelby Township; and many nieces and nephews. John was proceeded in death by a brother in-law Thomas Hartwick.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Noon at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, with Rev. Daniel Pezzica officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel on Monday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm and at the church Tuesday from 11 am- noon. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ann Arbor News from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for John Riske

Sponsored by The Family.

4 Entries

Glen Sauer

October 30, 2025

I was thinking about John and googled his name, and was sorry to hear of his passing. We were roommates for a year at EMU. I was amazed at all the things he kept in his dresser drawer. Whenever I needed anything, I asked him first and he quite often had what I needed. He was an amazing musician. For our church services, we had a small portable pump organ, and he played it like a great pipe organ. He had a great sense of humor, and he was obsessed with cleanliness. I haven't seen him for over 50 years. I always intended to reconnect some day, but it never happened.

WAYNE WENTZEL

December 4, 2024

John and worked closely together as well as shared family time while he was pastor in Bach and I was in Kilmanagh. We had a good working relationship and were friends during those years. I send my prayers and condolences to Lois and their family. Wayne Wentzel

Adam and Elizabeth Kellenberger

November 30, 2024

So sorry to hear of John's passing. Sending strength, love and condolences to Lois and the entire family.

Rev. Mike Petroski

November 30, 2024

Dear Family,
I am a 1965 graduate of Harper Woods Notre Dame High School. Males.
Next to ND was Regina High School. Females.
Next to Regina was Lutheran High School. Co-ed,
We had friends in all # schools.
One of our good pals was a girl named Diane Horton, from Harper Woods. A great gal and strong in her faith.
She went to Concordia Teachers College in Seward NE, and eventually married a colleague named Chuck Root in Port Huron.
I have not had contact with them in a long time.
Anyway mention of Harper Woods LHS East brings back many fond memories.
I am holding you in thought and prayer as you lay your beloved John to rest.
May the angels lead him to the glory of Paradise.
Rev. Mike Petroski
Saline