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Birth:          9 Jan 1924 Kendallville, Ind.
Death:          7 Apr 2008 Walker, Kent Co., Mich.
Burial:         10 Apr 2008 Solon Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Mich.

Notes
!PUBL
Our Story on ancestry
John Stanley Straw, aged 84, of Cedar Springs, passed away in his sleep early 
Monday, April 7, 2008, at St. Mary's Living Center, Walker, MI. John was born January 
9, 1924 in Kendallville, IN, the fourth of ten children of Clayton and Martha (Duguid) 
Straw. He was raised on a farm near Coldwater, MI, attending schools in Coldwater 
and Reading and attended church at the Presbyterian Church in California, MI. At 18 
John enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve his country during World War II. 
Staff-Tech Sgt. Straw flew forty-nine missions with the 741st squadron, 455th bomb 
group, receiving an honorable discharge in 1945. John married Roberta Imogene 
Fisher on February 3, 1950. Together they raised four children who survive, Susan 
(Don) Makowski of Granger, IN, Jeffery (Carla) Straw of Traverse City, MI, Becky 
(Gregg) Metternich of Fairfield, CT, Scott (Kathy) Straw of Blaine, MN. John worked 
several years as a test engineer and supervisor for Lear in Grand Rapids. In 1960 
John returned to farming, growing crops and milking his Brown Swiss and Holstein 
dairy herd near Cedar Springs, MI. John and Imo remained on their farm after 
retirement, enjoying the peaceful country life and helping neighbors. After Imo's death 
in 2000, John moved to Meadowlark Retirement Village in Sparta, MI and then to St. 
Mary's in late 2002. John was a member of Cedar Springs United Methodist Church 
where he taught Sunday school, served in men's ministries, and regularly attended 
church services. John served two terms as a Solon Township trustee. Also surviving 
are eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren; two brothers, Lee Straw and Donald 
(Lucia) Straw; four sisters, Dorothy Wade, Mary (Burr) McGrath, Ruth (Dick) McNee 
and Jane (Morrie) McMurry; nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service celebrating 
John's life will be held at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, with Rev. Brian 
Rafferty officiating, on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. John's cremated remains will be 
interred at Solon Cemetery, with Military honors. The family will meet friends at church 
one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions to Cedar Springs United 
Methodist Church have been suggested. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral 
Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com Bliss Witters Pike Funeral Home 
 Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Wednesday, April 9, 2008 
1930 in Algansee, Branch Co., Mich.
1940 in Algansee, Branch Co., Mich.

Parents
STRAW Clayton Cecil (15 Apr 1895 - 6 Mar 1969)
DUGUID Martha Beulah (11 Jun 1897 - 15 Jan 1993)

Siblings
STRAW Robert Dean (24 Aug 1917 - 15 Apr 1995)
STRAW George Clayton (31 Jan 1920 - 24 Oct 1994)
STRAW James Howard (17 Jan 1922 - Mar 1929)
STRAW John Stanley (9 Jan 1924 - 7 Apr 2008)
STRAW Dorothy Ann ()
STRAW Mary Lou ()
STRAW Donald Dale (29 Jul 1930 - 2 Sep 2015)
STRAW Lee Allen ()
STRAW Ruth L. ()
STRAW Jane Alice ()

Marriage To FISHER Roberta Imogene (21 Dec 1920 - 18 Apr 2000)
    m. 3 Feb 1950 Grand Rapids, Mich.

Notes


Children by FISHER Roberta Imogene 21 Dec 1920 - 18 Apr 2000
STRAW Susan J. ()
STRAW Jeffery John ()
STRAW Becky ()
STRAW Scott James ()

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