John C. Hotchkiss, age 78, passed away peacefully, surrounded by close family, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at Briarwood Assisted Living Facility in Allegan, Michigan. John was born on April 1, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan to William and Pauline (Seyler) Hotchkiss. He received his bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1966, a master's degree from Western Michigan University in 1968 and went on to earn his Ph.D. in speech pathology from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana in 1973. John chose to utilize his many degrees by helping others, spending his entire career working in various roles in speech therapy and special education throughout southwest Michigan. He spent several years as the principal of Hillside Learning Center, formally Allegan County Development Center, affectionately known to students and staff alike as Dr. John, before moving to the Bert Goens Learning Center in Van Buren County. He retired from the school system after 25 years of serving as a fierce advocate for individuals with physical and learning disabilities. On September 11, 1965, John married Margaret (Peggy) E. Williams with whom he shared a wonderful 56 years of marriage, passing away just shy of their 57th wedding anniversary. John and Peggy raised two beautiful daughters, Dawn and Lesa. They spent 10 years in Kalamazoo, Michigan with their young daughters before moving to Allegan, Michigan in 1983. John was a proud member of the Allegan City community, serving on the city council for 26 years, including one term as the mayor of his beloved small town. The family spent every wonderful summer at their charming, rustic cottage in the Les Cheneaux Islands in the upper peninsula of Michigan, where John enjoyed fishing, boating and spending time with many close friends and relatives. He served as Treasurer of the Les Cheneaux Islands Association and Les Cheneaux Yacht Club. Although known by many for his academic work, he may be best known for being a talented entertainer. John started his rock 'n roll endeavors in college as the front man for the Big Red Apples, playing gigs around southwest Michigan in the early 60's. As real life ensued, he continued to enjoy playing his guitar and singing, always willing to entertain at any type of gathering, big or small. In the 1980's he was a founding member of the Cabaret band in Allegan, with whom he played the bass guitar for nearly 15 years. John was preceded in death by his father, Bill; his mother, Pauline; and his older brother, Bill. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his two daughters, Dawn (Chris) Couchman and Lesa Hotchkiss (Charles Scott); four amazing grandchildren, Kathryne Luyk (Cliff Haas), Christopher Luyk (Simone Hecht), Elizabeth Luyk and Jacob Durocher (Maddy Katsma); his two sisters, Paula (Bill) Brown and Fran (Brian) Figurski; four brothers- and sisters-in-law, Neil and Lynn, Don and Judy, Allen and Jan, Rick and Robin Williams; numerous special nieces and nephews, and close friends Andy Durocher, Terry Cooper and Joe Gomez. The family will be holding an intimate gathering for close friends and family next summer in the Les Cheneaux Islands. In the meantime, please feel free to remember John by raising a glass of Johnny Walker or your drink of choice in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Les Cheneaux Community Foundation in the name of the Williams Family of Coryell Island Scholarship Fund at lcicf.org or in John's name to The Arc of Allegan County at arcallegan.org. Service Details. Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of John Hotchkiss April 1, 1944 - August 30, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book