John Robert Shepherd

Mr. John Robert Shepherd, age 84, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026. He was born in Muskegon, Michigan on December 26, 1941 to Robert and Eleanor (Kosminski) Shepherd, the first of four children.

He graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1960 and immediately joined the army which he served for three years in Hawaii. After service he attended college for chemical engineering but discovered he did not have an avid interest. He worked for Dresser Crane and Hoist, Kaydon Engineering and as a realtor for Vollmer's before joining his father at Shepherd Garage Door Service which eventually led to his founding of A1 Garage Door which he ran along with A1 Vinyl Graphics until retirement.

John was an interesting man. He played jazz harmonica with the band "The Coconuts", bowled, golfed, snowmobiled and played the five string banjo. He was a member of IOTSI and was part of many stage crews for groups such as the "Charlie Daniels Band" and "The Rolling Stones". Muskegon Civic Theatre knew him for 30 years as the set builder par excellence and as a character actor in several shows. John also served as a volunteer Fire Fighter for Norton Shores. And there was deer camp. John was always making people laugh, ready with a joke, a smile and a twinkle in his eye. With his wife Marsha he traveled with a pop-up camper for 15 years all over the Upper Peninsula. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and was a devoted father and husband. A lifelong member of the Eagles, Polish Union, Knights of Columbus, he was well known around the bars of Muskegon.

Survivors include his wife Marsha VanLente, brother Gary (Barb) Shepherd, sister Susan Prell, sons Robert Dale Shepherd and Matthew (Victoria) Shepherd, stepson Thomas (Tonya) Jelinek, step-daughters Kristi Veen and Stacy Rainbolt, stepson David [JoAnne] VanLente; grandchildren Jonathan Shepherd, Sydney Shepherd, Christopher Shepherd, David Shepherd, Adam Norbotten, Ashlee (Joe) Kromer, Kristian Veen, Brandon Rainbolt, Blake Rainbolt, Kyle (Alanah) Jelinek, Derek (Abby) Jelinek, Kodi (Matt) Jarvis, Ethan (Chloe) Vanlente, Zachary VanLente; great-grandchildren, Aram, Saul, Elliot, Leeland, Ariana, Finnick, Keegan, Emmy, Kashton; former wife Suzanne (Robert) Gould; brother-in-law Roger (Gayle) Graves; plus many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Eleanor Shepherd and his brother Bruce Shepherd.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Muskegon, MI on Thursday, June 18 , 2026 , at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Muskegon Civic Theatre. All those who attend are welcome to wear their favorite Hawaiian Shirt. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.