John Robert Warren

John Robert Warren, age 76 of Rutland Charter Township, died August 22, 2016 at his residence.

He was born September 16, 1939 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of the late Robert and Johanna (Brueckner) Warren. He married Beverly Armstrong on August 7, 1965 in Port Huron, Michigan.

In his early years, he lived in East Toledo just below what they sometimes call the "High Level" bridge. He was acquainted with Tony Packo's at Front & Consaul, while still in grade school, by his parents and that "love" affair continued to the end! John graduated from Bedford High School in Temperance, Michigan. He was the first person in his high school to win two most valuable player awards in the same year (basketball and track). He was president of the National Honor Society his senior year. He attended Western Michigan University and finally graduated in 1967. His college time was wrapped around a three year stint in the United States Army Security Agency, spending two years in Japan.

After graduating from WMU he went to work for Auto-Owners Insurance Company in Lansing, Michigan. He spent nine years with them and then came to Hastings where he spent 26 years with the Coleman Agency. He was a member of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and was a past President and Treasurer. He was involved in Hastings Summerfest for about 25 years, being its chairman for four years beginning in 1981. He was then the Summerfest Race Director for the next 10 years. Service Clubs also attracted John and he was a member at various times of the Rotary Club, Exchange Club, and finishing up with the Lions Club where he was a long time treasurer and occasionally, manager of the popcorn wagon. John was also a member of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War via his fathers great grandfather.

After retirement in 2002 he became a board member of the Barry Conservation District (thankyou Bev) and later a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission of Barry County. He liked working with people. They were his strength! He also thanks all of the people, especially his wife and two daughters, that worked on the many projects he was involved in.

John enjoyed running. This was something he started doing to get back into shape, but which lead to many race involvements including numerous 10k's, Old Kent Riverbank Runs, some 20k's, some half marathons, and finally eight marathons (start/finish) including five Chicago's. He like reading, learning, traveling with his wife, and eating. His wife said he liked eating too much which is probably why he did so much running and later walking. He also loved music. instrumental or vocal. His taste in music was eclectic. From Basie to Bach, from jazz to big bands, from rock to country, from opera to broadway! Were would we be without the Blues!

He became interested in genealogy after the turn of the century. Through the help of many cousins, and others, he was able to amass a large volume of information which he shared with others in his extended family (Warrens, Brueckners, McDonalds and Dedermans).

He is survived by his wife, Beverly, two daughters, Natasha (James) Burns of Rockford, Michigan, Alexandra (David) Thibeault of Flushing, Michigan, grandchildren: Emily, Joel, Daniel and Owen, brothers, Eric (Sally) Warren of Rockford, Michigan, Frederick Warren of Mishawaka, Indiana, and sister Christine Smith of Cape Coral, Florida, uncle Ted Brueckner in Mill Creek, Washington, aunt Esther Hunter in Des Moines, Washington, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at the Girrbach Funeral Home, as John would have it, on Summerfest weekend, Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm, with a 2:30 Memory Sharing time. Those who wish to make memorial contributions can do so to the Thornapple Arts Council or Spectrum Health Hospice.