Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Stidham, John (Sr.) April 28, 2013
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Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com January 20, 2015, 11:11 pm

Lakewood News - May 4, 2013

NASHVILLE, MI- John Stidham, Sr., age 83, of Nashville, formerly of Lake Odessa 
passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013 at his home with his family by his side.

John was born in Jackson, KY on March 23, 1930, the son of the late Kelly and 
Maggie Lee (Thorpe) Stidham.

He was raised in the small coal towns of southeastern Kentucky, and attended 
those local schools. In February 10, 1951, he was married to Marjorie Combs. 
The couple started their lives in Kentucky, but later moved to Michigan where 
John began work.

Marjorie preceded John in death in 1988. In July 16, 1974, he married to Linda 
(Shade) Stidham. John and Linda made their home together in the Lake Odessa 
area for several years before moving to the Thornapple Lake Area.

John began his working career as a coal miner at 14 years of age in 
southeastern Kentucky and West Virginia with the Blue Diamond Coal Company the 
West Virginia Coal Company and the Hellier Coal Company. As the demand for coal 
began to diminish, John moved to Michigan to find work. John worked for the 
Keeler Brass Die Cast Company in Lake Odessa and Grand Rapids for 31 years 
before retiring as a supervisor in 1989.

John loved being outdoors camping at Sandy Pines Resort in Dorr and later near 
the Grand River at the Riverbend Campground in Saranac. John loved fishing for 
catfish and Bullhead along the Grand with all of his family.

John always enjoyed "crusin" local back roads in his truck and would often stop 
by those out of the way places searching for those "lost" treasures which he 
would trade and sell. John loved to work with his hands and for years made all 
kinds of crafts which he would share with his family and even sell on occasion.

John is survived by his wife, Linda; his son, John Stidham; his stepdaughter 
Sally Smith; four sisters, Ann King, Joyce Picard, Ruby Arnie, Wanda Hoskins; 
and two grandchildren, Callie and Taylor Stidham.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie (Combs) Stidham in August 1988; 
parents; his children,  Jackie Ray in 1951 and Connie Sue in 1953; his 
daughter-in-law, Sherry Stidham in 2010; his brothers, Walker and Kelly Jr.; 
his sisters, Lottie, Ivory Sue; John also lost his grandchildren, Aleecia, 
Erik, and Nicholas who all passed away with their grandma Marjorie in 1988.

Memorial service will be held at The Lake Odessa VFW, Lake Odessa, from 1-4 
p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2013, with Reverend George Speas officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family of John Stidham. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home, Nashville.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/stidham29649nob.txt

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