John Francis Liegeois

Every tomorrow that we face is yet to be written, and that is why it is so important to live today like it was our last. Though John Liegeois could not have predicted the end of his life on earth, he made every day special for his family and filled each moment with the things that he loved. Traveling with his wife, watching his daughters play soccer, attending their dance recitals, throwing a pig roast for friends, preparing a great meal, the ways in which John experienced the best of life could go and on. It is certain that he will be dearly missed by those who mourn him, but it is impossible to feel sorry for a man that was so alive. Throughout the early part of the 20th century, America's doors were wide open as the country welcomed people from all parts of the world. Whether travelers were escaping political turmoil, seeking their fortune, or simply joining their families, the reason they came really didn't matter. America was a prosperous and growing nation and immigrants were the backbone to much of the success it already enjoyed. John Liegeois, a native of Belgium, set out from Europe for the United States to live with his sister. He hadn't been in the states for long when he was set up on a blind date with a young lady by the name of Bessie Wright. The night of their date, John and Bessie went bowling and the rest, as they say, is history. John joined the U.S. Air Force, which took the couple to the northern part of France where he was stationed at the base in Couvron (Aisne), France. And it was here, on March 10, 1964, that they welcomed their first child, a son they named John Francis Liegeois. Weighing just 4 lb. 13 oz., John came out fighting for his life, but it didn't take long before he was a healthy and growing young boy. Following John were two more children, his brother Joseph and his sister Elizabeth. As the oldest of the brood John often took charge of his younger siblings, watching out for them almost like a parent. Their father's career with the Air Force took the family around the globe and often back again, first to Oklahoma then to Hesperia, Michigan, while he served in Vietnam. While in Michigan they couldn't find an apartment so they rented a vacant doctor's office. John thought his family's temporary home was great and got a real kick out of telling his friends where he lived. After the war was over John's family was on the move again, this time back to the plains in Nebraska where they stayed for a whole year and half. The family's next move was back to John's father's native Belgium, where he attended school, at his grandfather's request, and began to learn the French language quite readily. After Belgium, John's family made their way back to Marquette in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but were not there for long before they found themselves back in Europe, where they lived in Spain, which they found to be very nice, and then to Germany. Although John did not speak German, he was fearless in his pursuit to discover more about the country, and emerged as a resourceful and adventuresome young man. When John was in the eighth grade, his dad was stationed back at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette, Michigan where he would remain for the remainder of this career. Meanwhile John and the rest of his family took up permanent residence at last in Hesperia, Michigan just north of Muskegon. Just barely a teenager, John had already gained a great deal of knowledge about culture, geography, history, and politics from all of the people and places he had experienced. He easily opened up to people, and it was rare that he found himself in a social situation that he wasn't comfortable in. After attending and playing varsity football for Hesperia High School, John graduated in 1983. John's very first job was working in the apple orchards of Fremont, Michigan, saving his hard earned dollars for a silver Camero. While he did achieve his goal, he had to borrow money from his mom to keep gas in the car. During this time, John had his dad hold a checking account for him and he would come by to drop of a deposit or pick up some money when he needed it. At one point, John saved up his dollars for a trip to Europe, where his dying grandfather was waiting his arrival. Before his grandfather passed away, the two of them were able to share many stories, but it was his late grandfather's tales of WWII that were so valuable to John and gave him such an immense appreciation for history. Back in Hesperia, John bought his first home just north of town. He also had a promising career at Fisher Steel and Supply, now known by the name Shoreline Recycling, owned by Louis Padnos Iron & Metal, where he was a Superintendent. A very dedicated employee, John worked as if the company was his own. It was on the job that John met a nice young lady from the sales department named Michell Obenauf ( Nelson), whom he began dating. The two of them were wed on August 17, 1996, and began their married life in Michell's home in North Muskegon. When the house across the street came up for sale, they bought it and began fixing it up. Once that home was complete, they were ready for a bigger undertaking. John, as well as Michell, was very good at project management and quite meticulous when it came to the details, so when they found a fixer-upper on West Lake it was their ideal home. The kitchen in particular was a very important room for John; he had learned a lot about European foods from all of his experiences and loved to cook for his family. On Sundays and sometimes even Saturdays he barred everyone from the kitchen as he prepared a special meal. Entertaining was also a specialty of his, putting together a pig roast for friends or throwing a bon fire party by the lake, anything was sure to be spectacular when left in his hands. Christmas Eve was no different, as family came from far and wide to spend this special holiday at John and Michell's home. Family and friends know full well his extensive video library with his John Wayne and action movies. Travel was another passion for John and Michell, whom was a travel agent at one time. Together they planned a trip to Mexico in 2001 and recently a trip to the Dominican Republic, from where they had just returned on April 8th of 2006. More than anything, John was a family man and some of his best times were spent with his three daughters, Natalie, Desiree Obenauf, and Danielle Obenauf. No matter what it was, if it involved his daughters he was there, soccer games, dance recitals, or just taking a bike ride around the lake. John and Michell also took in their two nieces and nephew for three summers, one of them liking it so much that they stayed an entire year, making John and Michell her guardian. And when John's mother-in-law needed a home, she was invited to live with him and Michell in Twin Lake. If anyone in his family needed anything, John would be first to give it to them. The day before John died he was busy putting up a basketball hoop for his daughters, once again showing his love and devotion for them. Though John's passing was untimely, he lived his life to the fullest each day and in such a way that he created more fond and loving memories for his family than people who live many years more. Mr. John F. Liegeois died Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at the age of 42. Surviving are his wife, Michell; 3 daughters, Natalie, Desiree Obenauf & Danielle Obenauf; parents, John & Bessie Liegeois of Hesperia; 1 sister, Elizabeth (Robert) Nelson of Muskegon; 1 brother, Joseph (Joan) Liegeois of Hesperia; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews. A visitation will be held on Thursday, 7-9 PM & Friday, 7-9 PM with a Scripure Vigil Service at 7:30 P.M. at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2006, 11:00 AM at St. Mary's of the Woods Church in Twin Lake, MI with Fr. Norman Droski officiating. The interment will be at Christ the King Cemetery in Hesperia. Please visit John's personal memory page a www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, sign the guestbook or make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.