Michael J. LeMasters, age 79, of Jackson, MI, unexpectedly passed away with his son, Tyler, at his side on April 14, 2021 at Henry Ford Allegiance Health of Jackson. He was born in Newark, OH on November 18, 1941, son of W. Howard and Christine L. (Woodhouse) LeMasters. He married Ruth Ann (Broesamle) in 2000, and she preceded him in death on August 1, 2007.
Mike served as an Army Reserve sergeant and gun technician, earned a business degree from Findlay College and attended the Ohio State University, earned a master’s degree in economics from Western Michigan University, and ultimately retired from Aeroquip/Eaton Corporation as plant manager for their coupling division. He was a member of and on the board of directors for the recently shuttered Pleasant Lake United Methodist Church, and for years, he owned and operated Setters Rest Kennels of Jackson. Mike enjoyed salmon and trout fishing, tying flies, training bird dogs and hosting field trials, hunting, skeet shooting, adventures at the cabin up north, being in nature, reading, attending church, and spending time with family and friends. The Ruffed Grouse Society and Pheasants Forever were organizations important to him.
In addition to his son, Tyler LeMasters of Jackson, Mike is survived by his mother, Christine, also of Jackson; stepdaughters, Shelly Finch of Spokane, WA, and Penny Peterson Murray of Grass Lake, MI; daughter-in-law, Kerry Lammers of Jackson; grandchildren, James (Miranda) Finch of Elmira, MI, Tyler Finch of Escanaba, MI, Trevor Murray of Grass Lake, and Brianna LeMasters of Jackson; five great-grandchildren, Ruth Ann Finch, JJ Finch, Elliot Finch, Aiden Marriott, and Carter Raab; very special friends—whom the family thanks for their everlasting support—Art and Nancy Conley, Rose Wahl and Chuck Mohlman, Dale Wahl, and Katie Wahl, all of Jackson; and dearly loved English setters, Hawk, Cider, and Emma. In addition to his wife, Ruth Ann, Mike was preceded in death by his father, W. Howard, and son, Michael J. LeMasters II, along with many treasured hunting dogs.
A gathering of friends and family is planned for Saturday, May 1, 2021, 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, MI, with a private funeral service afterward. Funeral directors are following current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for COVID; those attending will be instructed accordingly, and masks must be worn. A private burial will occur at a later date at Spring Grove Cemetery in Bloomingdale, MI. Rather than flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be made in Mike’s name to an organization he deeply valued: the Andy Ammann Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society, Attn: John Anton, Treasurer, 2111 Barritt St., Lansing, MI 48912.
