John Conway, age 97, of Pleasant Lake, MI, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2020. He was born April 6, 1923 in Croom, Ireland, the son of Denis and Catherine (Quilter) Conway. He came to the United States by way of Canada as a young man, finally permanently settling in Michigan in 1954.
John had lived in the Pleasant Lake area for the past 30 years, moving there after living in Stockbridge for 25 years. He liked to tell everyone he had farmed in four countries before going to work at the Ingham County Road Commission, where he retired in 1990 after working there for 20 years. His heart never left farming; he loved raising cattle as a hobby. He also enjoyed helping his neighbors by snowplowing driveways with his beloved John Deere tractor, and tinkering in his barn. No matter what else he might be doing, his first priority was spending time with his family.
He married Jo-Anne Marie (Helfrich) in Manchester, MI on August 11, 1956, and she survives. Also surviving are five children: Richard (Shari) Walters of Clark Lake, MI, Kathleen (Tom) Pizana of South Bend, IN, Shelly (Mark) Wiley of Quincy, MI, Becky Boyce of Jackson, MI, and Shawn Conway of Jackson, MI; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the world. He was preceded in death by ten siblings and two grandchildren, Colby Boyce and Shelby Boyce Schweda.
Per his wishes, he will be cremated, and a Memorial Service will be held at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 12:00 noon. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. For their outstanding compassionate care at the end of John’s life, the family would appreciate anyone wishing to make a donation in John’s memory do so to Careline Hospice of Jackson.
