John F. Gudwer Sr.

John was born March 2, 1949 to his parents Francis and Joan (Trombley) Gudwer in Escanaba. John lived in Perkins as a child and graduated from Perkins High School in 1967. He married JoAnn (Wery) in June of 1967 and they shared 56 years together.

John worked as an electrician, member of IBEW for 50 years, traveling from Boston and New York State to Wyoming and Montana and many places in between, especially the U.P. and Wisconsin.

He was a lifelong trapper, hunter, and fisherman. He especially enjoyed trapping beaver, otter, and mink. John enjoyed managing his hunting property for deer and other wildlife. He also was a devoted Newhouse trap collector, gun collector, and knife collector.

John bought wild fur and deer hides for 40 plus years owning the business J&J Furs (Delta Leather & Hide). He bought throughout the U.P., eastern lower Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and northeastern Minnesota.

He was a member of the National Trappers Association, UP Trappers Association, North American Trap Collectors Association, and NRA. John very much enjoyed his two trips to Alaska. He was especially impressed with the wildlife they saw in the Yukon and British Columbia.

John enjoyed trapping and friendly, competitive cribbage games with friend “Duck” Donald Besaw of Shingleton. They had many phone conversations remembering their former days of trapping.

John is survived by his wife JoAnn, his two sons and daughters-in-law Tom and Beth, and John and Julie. He was extremely proud of his sons and their accomplishments in life. He is also survived by his grandchildren Brooke (Tony) Perry, Michele (Seth) Humpula, Emily (Mersad) Ceric, and Kade Botsford; great-grandchildren who brought him great joy, Elodie and Isla Perry, Leo Humpula, and Forrest and Lena Botsford; sister Julie (Mike) Elliott; brothers Jeff (Kathy) Gudwer and Jim (Tina) Gudwer; Aunts Carol (Joe) McGonagle, Rita Gudwer, Mary Trombley, and Lorraine Gudwer; mother-in-law Lillian Wery; sister-in-law Tammy Lehtikangas; brothers-in-law Jerry (Kim) Wery, Louis (Maud) Mery, and Gordon (Judy) Wery; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by father-in-law Cecil Wery and grandson Jace Botsford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Masonville Township Volunteer Fire Department and they can be mailed to 10584 N. Main Street, Rapid River, Michigan 49878.

Family will receive friends on Friday, December 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone. Funeral services honoring John will begin at 3 p.m. with Pastor Terri Branstrom officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. To offer online condolences, please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Gudwer family.