John Tod Leavitt

John Leavitt - Born November 28, 1938 in Lansing Michigan and passed on January 26, 2022 while living in Spring Lake, Michigan. John started life in East Lansing and graduated from Michigan State University. Moved to Pontiac, Michigan where he lived many years and had made many friends. He then moved to Spring Lake Michigan in 1979. After he retired from Woolrich as a traveling salesman, he and his wife Cecelia split their lives between Michigan and Florida. John made friends easily and had the ability to keep them for life; people gravitated to him because of his big heart, kindness, and willingness to help out. He loved traveling, tennis, golf, and cards. He was adamant about teaching all of his grandchildren, nieces and nephews to be persistent in the things that they chose to do! He believed in mind over matter when fighting his disease and this worked for him many years. His Nephew Shawn: "I looked up to him for his tenacity, success and drive. I loved how he was a motivator. I loved how he was happy for others successes. I loved going to Michigan to see Uncle Johnny and I used to brag to my childhood friends about 'My Uncle John'. He's a hall of famer, the best and a wonderful man that I looked up to." All of his children and our cousins have amazing memories of John growing up. There are many fantastic stories I hope you will all share on his site; there are too many to list here. Surviving John is his loving wife Cecelia (DeeDee) Leavitt (VanPeenen) and his three children: Dr. Tod Leavitt; Tanya Nevins (and her husband Timothy Nevins); and Nicole Williams (and her husband Matt Williams). Also, his 6 wonderful grandchildren: Ariel Leavitt, Alexis Leavitt, Kyle Nevins, Daniel Nevins, Dylon Williams, Brook Williams. We will have a Celebration of Life for friends May 21, 2022 & for family July 2, 2023. Please leave any memories and comments on this obituary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The IPF Foundation; this funds research for the disease he was fighting. John was on medical trials looking for cures for IPF for many years. He believed these are what prolonged his life. People with IPF are given 3-5 years to live after a diagnosis. John went on to live 11 years after being diagnosed. Celebration Of Life Fruitport Golf Club & Banquette Hall 6334 S Harvey St muskegon, MI, United States 49444 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM