Robert J. ‘John’ Getzloff

John was born on Sept. 5, 1937, in Harris, Mich., the son of Art and Edna (VanEnkevort) Getzloff. He grew up in Harris and graduated from Bark River Harris High School in 1956. After graduation, he left to attend Bailey’s Technical College to be a mechanic. After graduation, he got his first job at Jaeger Pontiac in Milwaukee, Wis.

He started dating a girl back home, Wanda Schiesser, and they married on June 3, 1961. They raised three children who were all born in Milwaukee.

John and Wanda decided to leave Milwaukee and buy a dairy farm in Wilson from Herman Kleiman. They farmed until John retired in 2000 and his son Rob took over the farm with his wife, Leigh.

John loved football and his team the Detroit Lions. He loved farming and driving his John Deere tractor. When he couldn’t get in the tractor, his son would put him in the bucket and lift him up to the door of the tractor. He was in his glory to drive his 1956 Pontiac.

Among survivors are his wife, Wanda of Wilson; three children, Rob (Leigh) and John (Sandy) Getzloff, all of Wilson, and Lisa (Shannon) Nichols of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Neena (Kyle) Piatt, Dustin (Kelsey Ignat) Getzloff, Jefferson and Jeremy Getzloff, and Darius, Dorian, Dugan and Dyson Nichols; great-grandson, Jaxson Piatt; brother, Adolph (Jill) Getzloff; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Arthur and Glenn Getzloff and Mary Barnhill.

Visitation will be on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Bark River. The funeral service celebrating the life of John Getzloff will be at 1 p.m. with Rev. Brian Gerber officiating.

A meal will follow at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. A memorial will be established at a later date.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Getzloff family.