John Mayo

Whether he was headed out for a drive off the beaten path, watching thunderstorms roll in off the lake with his children, or meticulously snapping beans, John lived fully in each moment he was given. Ever mindful of others, he was always proactively thinking of how he could make life better for those around him. John and his beloved wife shared a love that most can only dream of, and his love for his children and grandchildren only made him cherish his wife all the more. It was clear to see that he firmly believed in doing things right, and he was well respected as wood patternmaker as well. Life will never be the same without John here, but the impact he made in the lives of those around him will never be forgotten. The Roaring Twenties were a great time to be an American. Baseball legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb breathed new life into baseball while radios brought the world around us within our reach. Motion pictures came alive with color and sound while automobiles that were more affordable became more than just a luxury. It was during this exciting time that a bustling family from Muskegon, Michigan, was thrilled to welcome a healthy baby boy into the fold on August 9, 1927. John Louis was the seventh of eight children born in the family home to his parents, Alonzo and Philaura (Cottrell) Mayo. Raised in the family home at 1093 Ireland alongside his older siblings, Donald, Milton, Fred, Margaret, Floyd, and Ethel, and his younger brother, Doug, John experienced a typical upbringing for his generation. His father worked as a barber, musician, and woodworker while his mother was a busy homemaker. John built balsa model airplanes and kites as a boy, even winning a radio in a kite flying contest. It was as a young boy of eight that he entered the workforce with a paper route with over 100 customers in Muskegon. John became friends with John Bloomstrom, who would be a longtime friend as they met weekly for breakfast, a drive by Lake Michigan, and a game of pool well into their adult years. His parents used to take the children to community events where Pa played the fiddle and Ma played the auto harp while his Uncle Jim called square dance. Young John usually fell asleep under the stage. He never missed a chance to hang out with his siblings and fondly remembered driving back from Fremont in the family car that was loaded with children and vegetables. John attended Nims Elementary and Muskegon High School. Eager to be of service to his country during a time of great need, John enlisted in the United States Navy on Feb. 20, 1945. He received his training at USNTC in Great Lakes, Illinois. John entered active service on March 19, 1945, and served aboard the USS Hazelwood (DD 531). He subsequently served on a number of other vessels before being honorably discharged as a seaman 1st Class. In recognition of his service, John was awarded the American Area Ribbon and WWII Victory Ribbon. Life was forever changed for John when he met a young woman named Bernice Johnson at a wedding. They began dating and later fell deeply in love. The sweethearts were married on April 1, 1947, and together they raised their three children, Linda, David, and Donna, in the home that John built with Bernices help in Norton Shores. As fathers go, Johns children say they had the very best as he was loving, caring, and supportive of everything they did. The Mayos looked forward to camping together as every summer they explored the best that Michigan has to offer. John and Bernice worked as a team in everything they did including their camping adventures whether it was setting up camp, cooking, or packing up to head to their next destination. In 1963 John took David and Linda out West for an adventure, and he did the same thing with his youngest daughter a bit later. John and his wife were also known to take off on a Sunday drive just to explore someplace new. To provide for his family, John had a rewarding career as a wood patternmaker after earning his wood patternmaker certificate in 1951. Through the years he worked at a variety of wood pattern shops in Muskegon and was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. John retired in 1991, and he was also very proud of the fact that he was on the board that established the Muskegon Patternmakers Credit Union. Everything John did with his family was special. Some of the memories his children treasure most were made while camping, doing things like taking in the nighttime sky around the roaring campfire. Fishing, gardening, mushrooming, and just laughing together were priceless times, too. Because he knew all the trees in Muskegon, John helped his kids make the best leaf collections, and later in life he organized an amazing surprise birthday party for Linda in which he flew his other children and nephew out for the festivities as well. Pets were always special to John, and he also instilled within his children a respect for animals. He adopted his last dog, Precious, from the Harbor Humane Society, and he loved taking her out for walks. Rarely one to be still, John had numerous interests. He was an avid gardener who also made wine and kept busy with woodworking, making such beautiful clocks, bookcases, and shelves. After retiring John spent more time gardening with Bernice canning much of what he grew. He also had more time for woodworking, but nothing came close to spending time with his grandchildren. John was a very social person who made a point to spend time with all his nieces and nephews and visited people he knew if they were in the hospital or nursing home. He was also a member of the Muskegon Heights Eagles. Described as gentle, hardworking, and generous, John Mayo was an extraordinary man to know and love. He enjoyed relaxing after a long work day, yet he also liked keeping busy with the things he loved doing. John was skilled, precise, and organized, which all made him so good in his lifes work, yet these same skills were among the many that made him such a great man at home, too. He always put his family first in everything he did as his greatest desire was to communicate the deep love that was in his heart. John was amazingly intuitive when it came to paying attention to the reactions of those around him as he was forever on the lookout for ways he could help others. Although he will be deeply missed, the beautiful mosaic of memories that he leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those too numerous to count. John L. Mayo died on Thursday, January 9, 2014. Johns family include his children, Linda Mayo of CA, David (Joyce) Mayo of Sparta, Donna (Darrin McSorley) Mayo of Hudsonville; grandchildren, Jonathan (Tracey Koster) Mayo of CA, Rebecca Mayo of Sparta; his dog, Precious; sister, Margaret Westfall of Fruitport; and longtime friend, John Bloomstrom. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernice in 1997; and siblings, Donald Mayo, Milton Mayo, Fred Mayo, Floyd Mayo, Ethel Wood and Douglas Mayo. Services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014, 1:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association or Harbor Humane Society. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.