John Mason Stiff Sr.

John Mason Stiff Sr., age 83, of Battle Creek sadly passed away at PineView Assisted Living in Battle Creek on Monday, November 10, 2025. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 3, 1942, the son of Lawrence E. and Stella Marie (Hammacher) Stiff. John faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Navy and then as a Fireman at the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Alpena, Michigan and the Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek

John was sadly preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann “Pat” Stiff; his parents; and his children, Karen Stiff and John M. Stiff Jr. He is survived by his brother, Lawrence E. Stiff Jr. of Glen Ellyn, IL, and his sister, Judy Ann Lesniak of Highland, IN.

John enjoyed collecting miniature trains, and truly anything to do with trains. He and Pat served for more than five years as car-hosts on the Pere Marquette 1225 with the Steam Railroad Institute. John was also a longtime member of the Battle Creek Model Railroad Club and the Cereal City Lions Club. He loved the Railroad Club and spent a lot of time there designing and building landscapes.  John also enjoyed fishing and loved cats.

The family will receive friends from10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 18th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where services to celebrate John’s life will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately at the Hamilton Township Cemetery in Decatur, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Cereal City Lions Club and/or the Battle Creek Model Railroad Club. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.