Obituary for John Cletus Tithof
John Cletus Tithof of Mt. Pleasant, age 75, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday August 29th, 2021. A Memorial gathering for John will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on October 30, 2021 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Family Hope Fund. (Gift and Record Administration. 3003 S State St. Suite 8000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109)
John was born January 23rd, 1946, in Chesaning, son of Cletus and Faith (Ruff) Tithof. John served in the Michigan National Guard and was deployed to the 1967 Detroit Riots. He worked for Farmer Peets Packing in Chesaning during his youth, and later moved to Mount Pleasant in 1973, where he raised his family and worked as a wine salesman for Central State Distributors. John spent many summers boating and fishing at his cottage in Houghton Lake and loved hosting parties for his many friends and family. John is known for his immense love for the Michigan Wolverines and spent every Fall loudly cheering them on either in the stadium or at home in front of the television. His favorite saying was, “Football is a religion and Saturday is the holy day of obligation”. John married Connie Navarre on September 10th, 2010, and she remained his devoted companion till the end. In recent years, John enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sport events and was just as boisterous as if he was sitting in The Big House. John was known for always spoiling his grandchildren with numerous bags of candy, and unique sentimental gifts as signs of his love. As John grew older, he became generous with the words “I love you”, he never said goodbye without a hug, and was not afraid to say, “I’m sorry”.
John is survived by his loyal wife, Connie; his daughters, Brandi (Doug) Shoemaker and their two children, Emilia and Declan of Traverse City, Mi; Holly (Michael) Morrow and their two children, Ellie and Jack of Mount Pleasant, Mi; stepson Mike (Tammy) Navarre and their son Gabriel of Traverse City. Also, surviving is his sister, Joan Wrocklage, sister-in- law’s Barbara Tithof and Nancy Wanek, his two longtime friends Dick Birdsley and Frank Lyka; former wife and mother of his children, MaryAnn (Dave) Punke, as well has several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by both his parents, sister, Betty Smith; two brothers William Tithof and Dallas Tithof, sister-in-law Linda Tithof, brother-in-law’s Robert Wrocklage and Harold Smith.
John was born January 23rd, 1946, in Chesaning, son of Cletus and Faith (Ruff) Tithof. John served in the Michigan National Guard and was deployed to the 1967 Detroit Riots. He worked for Farmer Peets Packing in Chesaning during his youth, and later moved to Mount Pleasant in 1973, where he raised his family and worked as a wine salesman for Central State Distributors. John spent many summers boating and fishing at his cottage in Houghton Lake and loved hosting parties for his many friends and family. John is known for his immense love for the Michigan Wolverines and spent every Fall loudly cheering them on either in the stadium or at home in front of the television. His favorite saying was, “Football is a religion and Saturday is the holy day of obligation”. John married Connie Navarre on September 10th, 2010, and she remained his devoted companion till the end. In recent years, John enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sport events and was just as boisterous as if he was sitting in The Big House. John was known for always spoiling his grandchildren with numerous bags of candy, and unique sentimental gifts as signs of his love. As John grew older, he became generous with the words “I love you”, he never said goodbye without a hug, and was not afraid to say, “I’m sorry”.
John is survived by his loyal wife, Connie; his daughters, Brandi (Doug) Shoemaker and their two children, Emilia and Declan of Traverse City, Mi; Holly (Michael) Morrow and their two children, Ellie and Jack of Mount Pleasant, Mi; stepson Mike (Tammy) Navarre and their son Gabriel of Traverse City. Also, surviving is his sister, Joan Wrocklage, sister-in- law’s Barbara Tithof and Nancy Wanek, his two longtime friends Dick Birdsley and Frank Lyka; former wife and mother of his children, MaryAnn (Dave) Punke, as well has several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by both his parents, sister, Betty Smith; two brothers William Tithof and Dallas Tithof, sister-in-law Linda Tithof, brother-in-law’s Robert Wrocklage and Harold Smith.