John Gust Lake, Jr., age 91, of Gladstone passed away on Friday, February 29th, 2008 at the Iron Mountain Veterans Hospital where he was a patient since January 11th.  

John was born August 18th, 1916 in the Kipling Location of Gladstone, the son of John Richard Lake, Sr. and the former Celia Rantala.

During the early part of World War II, he was employed in the “bomber plants” downstate and later served in the US Army during the latter part of the war and served in the European Theater in Austria. While in the military, John received the Victory Medal with one overseas bar and the Germany Occupation Medal.

As a young adult, John also worked in the woods, however, most of his working life he was employed as an electronics service technician and was along-time  salesman for “Felton Radio and T.V.” in Escanaba. John retired in that capacity in 1981. Also in his early years, John locally played a variety of instruments in a dance-band which included his brothers and friends.
John loved sports, and played hockey in times past but he especially like fishing which he continued well in to post retirement years.

John was a member of the Community Church of Christ and the American Legion August Mattson Post #71 of Gladstone.

John Lake, Jr.’s survivors include:

1 Son- Kim J. (Catherine) Lake of Wells, MI

3 Daughters- Karen K. (Paul) Bapst of Jackson, MI, Dinah G. Lake of Crescent City,  CA, Linda F. (Larry) Shirk of Milwaukee

a step-daughter, Cherri (Bruce) Morris of Otisville, MI

2 Sisters- Mary S. Wellman of Escanaba, Evelyn E. (Ted) Kleiman of Escanaba

a sister-in-law,  Winnie Lake, of Escanaba.

16 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 20 great-step-grandchildren, 1 great-great- step grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, the former Nellie M. Hicks, and by the mother of his children, the former Jessie A. Wellman. He also was preceded in death by four brothers; Walter T. “Lefty” Lake, William M. “Billy” Lake, Robert A. Lake, Wesley Lake, and by 2 great-grandchildren.

Upon John Lake’s request, graveside services will be held in the spring at the Fernwood Cemetery with Military Rites being conducted by the Gladstone American Legion. The Skradski-Boyce Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Lake family