John Gretch

Funeral Information

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11 am at Good Shepherd Parish – St. Columbkille Catholic Church of Sheridan Corner. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 3 – 8 pm at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe or Saturday at the church from 10 am until the service time at 11 am. Memorials may be offered to the American Cancer Society, Thumb Animal Shelter or the family discretionary fund.

Family of the Deceased

Left to also cherish John’s memory are his children Christine (Claude) Kolar of Unionville and Michael J. Gretch (Jennifer Fox) of Davison; four grandchildren, Michael R. Gretch, Lauren Kolar, Camryn Kolar, and Brooke Kolar; sisters Mary (John) Dowling of Onsted and Eleanor Murphy of Albuquerque, NM, sisters-in-law Shirley Blome of Bad Axe, and Donna (Clare) Bechler of Pigeon; his godchildren Todd (Beth) Snay and Tammy Fritz; and his cuddly best buddy, his rescue dog, Teddy along with many nieces and nephews. Since he was not blessed with brothers, he acquired two special “brothers”, Michael Radomski and Don MacMillan who were always getting into mischief together. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by in-laws Clarence and Clara (Naffien) Kipfer, his sister and brother-in-law Lillian and Bill Snay, brothers-in-law Richard Sturgis and John Blome.

Biography

John A. Gretch of Owendale, age 74, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at home with his loving wife by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. John was born December 4, 1948, the son of the late John C. and Augustina (Masa) Gretch. He graduated from Bad Axe High School with the class of 1967. He married the love of his life, Betty Kipfer, in 1968. They could often be seen holding hands like young love throughout their 54 years of marriage. John worked in several trades throughout his career such as a welder, die setter and millwright with his last job retiring from the Cooperative Elevator. John took great pride in everything he did and was known for his enormous garden he planted every year for the joy of watching it grow and sharing its bounty. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to casinos with friends and spoiling his grandchildren.

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