Jackie J. R. “Jack” Phelan of Leslie, MI, formerly of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away surrounded by his family on January 8, 2021. Jackie was born on March 9, 1937 in Corning, AR to William and Eathel (Gleghorn) Phelan.

Leaving the farm life at age 15, he moved to Kalamazoo, MI and finally settled in Ann Arbor, where he met and married the love of his life, Patricia Stepp, in 1957. Together they raised three daughters, Deborah (Charles) Seleska of Savannah TN, Cheryl Heinz (Ricky Bradley) of Leslie, MI, and Jacquelyn (Ralph) Mullins of Jackson, MI. 

Jackie spent his life spoiling his wife and girls, and as the grandchildren arrived, they were spoiled as well. He worked making precision ball bearings in Ann Arbor for Industrial Tectonics and Ultraspherics, Inc. He retired at the age of 70 from University Plastics, which he said, “was the best job he ever had—and the best friend/boss, Bill Tratchet.”

Jackie leaves behind to remember his good humor and never-ending stories, three daughters, along with 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way, four sisters, many family members and dear friends, along with special friends, Vickie Reum, Vicki Bradley, Ashley Hintz, and Billie Gibson, as well as special caregivers of Medilodge of Capital Area, Lansing, and Grace Hospice of Lansing. Welcoming him in Heaven with open arms is his wife, Patricia, who has been waiting for him since 1987, his parents, four sisters, and two brothers.

Because of Jackie’s love for dogs and the many that were part of his life, please donate to your local animal shelter in his name in lieu of flowers. As he would say, “Spoil them dogs, flowers are a waste of money.” Or contributions may be made to the Medilodge of Capital Area, Lansing or Grace Hospice of Lansing.

A gathering of friends and family will be held at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge, MI, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral directors are following current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for COVID-19; those attending will be instructed accordingly, and masks must be worn. A private burial will take place at Washtenong Cemetery in Ann Arbor, MI at a later date.