John ‘Jack’ Tyler Way

He was born on February 3, 1926 in Escanaba to Tyler and Mabel Way. Jack was an Escanaba High School graduate of 1944. Jack married Ethelgine (Loritz) on August 14, 1954. They were lifelong residents of Wells where they raised their seven children.

Jack enlisted in the Army on December 11, 1945. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran (1950-52). In Korea, he was in the Artillery HQ battery 7th infantry division; was a part of five major battles including the Chosin Reservoir. After Korea, he enlisted in the 312 Engineer Reserves from 1952-1961 when he was recalled to active duty for the Cuban Missile Crisis. He then went on to serve four more years in the reserves until he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1965 at the rank of first sergeant.

In 1956, Jack began working at the Escanaba Paper Company until he retired in 1988. In 1966, he was appointed as the Wells Township treasurer and served in that capacity for nearly 20 years. He was a part of many organizations in our community: Wells Lions Club Lifetime member of 47 years, American Legion Escanaba River Post 115 lifetime member of 60 years, AMVETS Post 123 lifetime member of over 50 years, VFW Post 2998 lifetime member of 66 years where he was a Quartermaster and Trustee for over 30 years. Jack was on the inaugural U.P. Honor Flight accompanied by his son Bob in 2011.

If Jack wasn’t at the paper mill or the township hall, a safe bet was that he was at camp in Arnold. Besides the military and his family, camp was the most important thing to him. Having been part of a family camp in Arnold that was built in the 1930s, he then built his own camp in the 1980s where he and “Mother” spent a lot of time with his siblings and their spouses who all had camps on the same two-track dirt road. During deer season, Jack could always be found next to the wood stove, and when asked “aren’t you hot Grandpa” he would reply “No, I’m still cold from Korea!” His other interests included playing cribbage, smear, trout fishing and his trips to “Menards”.

Jack is survived by his children, Jill (Ward) Johnsen, Mike (Sally) Way, Tim (Deb) Way, Connie (Gary) Christensen, Lauri (Dale) Sturdy, Michelle (Tom) Stoykovich, and Bob Way; 12 grandchildren, Kim (Jeremy) Bishop, Rachel (Jason) Pascoe, Brian (Erica) Way, Erin (Ryan) LeMire, Beth (Louie) Berube, Anna (Ashley) Schultz, Justin (Katelin) Way, James (Alexis) Way, Brett Way, Dustin (Brittany) Christensen, Zachary (Allison) Sturdy, Luke (Erin) Sturdy; 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, Carol (George) Noel, Clinton (Cheryl) Way, Judy (Jim) Schwartz and Lynn Liebel; and sister-in-law, Patricia Way.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, siblings: Robert (Faye/Mae), Richard (Betty), Lois (George) Miller, Mary Lou (Gerald) Dufour, Thomas, James, Nancy (Lester King/ Bruce) Lewis; and brother-in-law, Gerald Liebel.

To say he will be dearly missed is an understatement. Whether you called him Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, or friend, he will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Rick Courier officiating.

Graveside services and military honors will take place at Gardens of Rest Cemetery.

Immediately following services, a gathering will take place. Details will be announced at the service.

In lieu of flowers please donate, in Jack’s honor, to any of the above-mentioned organizations.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family online by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.