John "Jack" Edward Fussman

Unconditional in his love, John Jack Fussman was a humble, bighearted man, who understood the value of hard work and knew how to persevere through difficult circumstances. Family was always his first priority, and he cherished every moment he spent in their company. Those close to Jack knew how much they meant to him, if not by his words, then by his actions of love and devotion. His years of dedication and generosity afforded him both a happy place in life, and a family that loved him dearly. The year was 1938 and the United States was slowly climbing its way out of the dark recesses of the Great Depression. President Franklin Roosevelt signed The Fair Standards Act, which brought on many programs to help ailing farmers, displaced workers and the elderly. Yet, Americans still found ways to keep their spirits up, by tuning their radios in to the music of the Big Bands, and going to see the new release of Charles Dickens film A Christmas Carol. Meanwhile, in Beal City, Michigan, Joseph John Fussman and his wife, Ida Mary (Schafer), were focusing on something much more precious, their son, John Edward Fussman, born on July 6, 1938. Jack, as he was called, was the oldest of nine children in his family; he took his role as big brother very seriously (all his life) and tried to always watch out for his siblings: Larry, Pat, Bill, Mike, Tom, George, Steve and Mary. While his father supported their family working as a truck driver for a lumber company and later as a custodian at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, his mother undoubtedly had her hands full as a homemaker. Jack led a typical childhood of the time. He attended the Beal City area schools, and spent many summers working on local farms to help support his family. As a young man, he enjoyed fishing whenever he got a chance, but his passion was tinkering on and racing cars. His love of cars would stay with him throughout his life, influencing his career choices and providing him with some of his favorite pursuits. Jack went on to graduate from Beal City High School in 1957, and then took a job as an Attendant Nurse at the State Home. Jacks life took a new direction when he met Judy Ramseyer on a blind date. They dated for a time before being married at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Beal City in 1961. Their union was blessed with five children: Dawn (who died as an infant), Mark, Paula, David and Jaclyn. Unfortunately, Jacks marriage to Judy eventually ended in divorce, but he remained a devoted father to his children. In time, Jack found love again when he met Lynn Kelley, and they shared nearly 20 great years together before she passed away in 1999. Jacks daughter Jaclyn was only 2 when Lynn came into their lives, but she became an important part of Jaclyns life growing up, much like a second mom. In 2000 Jack met Judy Ritchey. They had two wonderful years together during which time they started building a new home together in St. Louis. Judy passed away in 2002. For Jack, family was truly the greatest source of happiness in his life. He absolutely adored his children and also had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren. He made his family his first priority and always put their needs before his own. Jack never missed a family gathering, and looked forward every year when his family got together at Deerfield Park under the pavilion that was named in memory of his brother, Tom. Just like in his childhood, Jack never stopped looking out for his loved ones, doing whatever he could to lighten their loads, even if it meant giving the shirt off his back. There was nothing more important, more valuable or more rewarding to Jack than giving all he could possibly give to his children, his family and his friends. Home was certainly where his heart was! In 1975, Jack put his passion for cars and racing to work for him as he bought Mt. Pleasant Speedway and operated it for 11 years. After he sold the racetrack, Jack went to work with his brother, Steve, and his nephews doing masonry. Being a Jack-of-all-trades, he quickly picked up the work and fit right in. Jack was thankful for the work, yet it was the moments he shared with his brother and nephews that meant the world to him. Although Jack got out of the racing business, he never stopped enjoying the sport of racing. He loved to attend racing events with his family and friends at the Michigan International Speedway and Eldora Racetrack in Ohio. Always the caretaker, Jack was most often the chief cook on these trips, and the clean up crew too. Fishing was also something that Jack loved to do, and every year he and a group of friends headed up to one of their favorite watering holes in Canada. Jack was a former member of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Beal City and the Sacred Heart Parish in Mt. Pleasant, and was recently attending a church in St. Louis. Jack will be remembered as a hardworking, generous and loyal friend. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him. Jack Fussman, 74, of St. Louis, MI and formerly of Beal City, MI passed away peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2013, at home. A Funeral Mass for Jack will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 12, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with his cousin, Father Melvin Fox, presiding and Jacks brother, Deacon Larry Fussman, assisting. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Beal City. The family will receive friends at Lux Family Funeral Home on Thursday, April 11, from 1-9 p.m. with the vigil beginning at 8 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Friday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Woodland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Jack is survived by two children, David (Suzanne) Fussman of Lake Isabella and Jaclyn (Ryan) Dukes of Ypsilanti; eight grandchildren, Keith, Jennifer, Matthew, Jason, Alexandria, Jacob, Addison, and Nolan; four great-grandchildren; five siblings, Larry (Kathy) Fussman of Mt. Pleasant, Mike (Marian) Fussman of Alma, George (Terri) Fussman of Mt. Pleasant, Steve (Linda) Fussman of Mecosta, and Mary (Mike) Wanagat of Sandusky, OH; three sisters-in-law, Sheila (Sim) Wernette of Mt. Pleasant, Peggy (Jim Mania) Fussman of Grand Rapids and Janet Fussman of Lake Isabella; and many nieces, nephews and close friends. He is also survived by Lynns children, Jayme Kelley and Shon Kelley. He was preceded in death by three children, Dawn (infant), Paula Myers, and Mark Fussman; the mother of his children, Judy Rey; significant other, Lynn Kelley, and significant other, Judy Ritchey; and brothers, Tom, Bill and Pat Fussman. To sign the online guest book or send a condolence to the family, please visit www.LuxFamilyFuneralHome.com.