August 17 1928 July 02 2020
John “Jack”‘s Obituary John (Jack) McClellan Overhiser, 91, of McMillan, Michigan, passed away Sunday morning, July 2, 2020. He was happily married to Phyllis (Purdy) for 68 years. Jack was born on August 17, 1928, to John and Emma Overhiser in Omaha, Nebraska. The family of five moved to Chicago, Illinois where Jack graduated from Senn high school. He then enlisted in the Army where he served for a year in S. Korea at the conclusion of the Second World War. Jack was a 1st Lieutenant in the Military Police. He attended Western Michigan University on the G.I. Bill, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Secondary Education. He also participated in the philosophy club and the debate team, winning several awards. He earned a Masters of Education Administration from the University of Michigan, also taking doctorate level classes. It was at Western that Jack met Phyllis, fell in love and married on August 12, 1951. They lived in a rented house and soon after built a modern house in Portage, Michigan, doing much of the labor themselves. It was here they had their son, Jack and two years later their daughter Karen. Many happy times were spent here with their new family. Jack began his career teaching English and history at Portage Township High School. In 1959 the family moved to Melvindale, Michigan, where he was a counselor at Melvindale High School. He then worked for many years as high school principal and later as Superintendent of Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Schools. Jack retired after 30 plus years of dedicated service. While in Melvindale their daughter Lori was born, and in 1967 the family moved to Plymouth, Michigan. Here Jack and his family spent many happy years and had lots of fun pursuing all sorts of activities and just being a family. Great times were had on Summer vacation camping trips, birthdays and holidays. Jack was a very involved and active dad and shared his interests and curiosity with his kids. He was a loving husband and loved all of his children very much and it showed in his pride for them. He was a wonderful role model and dad. After retirement, Jack and Phyllis moved to McMillan, Michigan to be near their daughter Karen and her husband Kyle, excited and ready to be grandparents in their newly built house. Jack volunteered at Seney National Wildlife Refuge with Phyllis. He served as president of Friends of Seney for a number of years. Their enthusiasm as educators, lovers of nature and history showed in the work they did. They helped organize events, create displays, run the store and educate visitors. Jack and Phyllis were members of the Luce County Historical Society. They both spent many hours volunteering at the museum, the former jail and sheriff’s residence. Jack served as president for many years. He focused a lot of energy on applying for grants, bringing in tens of thousands of dollars for much needed renovations to the buildings and grounds. Projects included hiring an architect who specialized in historically accurate architecture to renovate the tower to its former golden glory, and also the roof and brickwork. Jack wanted to restore the gardens to the Queen Anne era when the house and jail were built, and hired a specialist landscape architect to do so. A landscape historian, Scott Kunst from Ann Arbor, Michigan was hired to research, supply and help implement the gardens as well as present a program to the public. Jack and Phyllis spent many very happy years in McMillan, where they were able to take an active part in their grandchildren’s lives. This gave them great joy and they were very proud of and loved their grandchildren, Brad, Jacob and Kelly, and great-grandson’s Jakobi and Deklen very dearly. Jack was an avid reader and loved reading about American and world history, geology and geography. He also stayed well informed on current US and world events. Jack charted the Overhiser genealogy back to the 1600’s and enjoyed sharing this information at family reunions with relatives. Jack greatly loved all of his nieces and nephews and was proud of all of them. He loved hearing about their lives. Dad, we all loved you so much. Anyone who knew you knew you were a kind, sincere, sweet and patient man. You had an inquisitive mind and had so much enthusiasm. Always an optimist who cheered people up and on. We were so blessed to have you in our lives. We will miss you beyond words until we see you and mom again. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis (Purdy), his parents John and Emma Overhiser, his sisters Marion Queen (Eldon) and Lois Cannizzo (Joseph), and his nephew John Queen. Survivors include son John (Jack) McClellan Overhiser III; daughters Karen (Kyle) Edwards and Lori Overhiser; grandchildren Brad Smith, Jacob (Sarah) Edwards, and Kelly Edwards; great-grandsons Jakobi and Deklen Edwards; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. A small private memorial service was held to honor both Jack and Phyllis. Memorial donations may be directed to the Luce County Historical Society or the Seney Natural History Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of John “Jack” McClellen Overhiser, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Jack McClellen Overhiser August 17 1928 July 02 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Newberry, state: Michigan