John Joseph Neese was born January 23, 1930 in Ernest Pennsylvania, a coal mining town, to Theodore Robert Neese and Mary Alice Keller. At 13 years of age he went to work in the Palmer Coal Mines until he joined the US Army in 1946 and served during WWII in both Germany and France. John, a retiree from GTE in March 1990, joined the American Legion Post 89 in Allegan MI in 1987 and became a life member where he held many offices including Commander. John was also a Life Member of the VFW 3030 of Otsego, MI where he became Chaplain in 1999 and became a member of the Honor Guard. John & Audrey were married on July 26, 1986 and became active in God by working in many ways. They most enjoyed working at Crossroads which was an outreach program for neighbor children and both served as Deacons of their home church for two years. John became a tutor through the Kids Hope Program with Westward School. John also provided scholarships to Beachpoint Christian Camp; a retreat for kids to grow in their spiritual walk with the Lord. John worked many Friday night bingo's and volunteered for the Food Bank for more than 4 years. He lead fishing groups to Fort Reed in Canada & enjoyed fishing on the big lake with his lifelong friend, Neil Girkie, on their 21ft. Star Craft. Most recently, John was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church & was part of the local Sunday Nursing Home outreach team in Waynesboro, VA where he served out his life for God, his family & his country as a hard-working, gentle giant & deeply caring man. John was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, two brothers & his son; James Neese. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Audrey (Tiller,Hord) Neese, his daughter Linda (Marv) Chick, Tina (Peter) Vial, Dale (Carlie) Hord, Nickie (Mark) Snyder. His grandchildren Michael (Janita) Gamache, JT (Cynthia) Neese, Jamie (Randy) Thorpe and his great-grandchildren Brittany, Jacob, Dalton, Wyatt, Hunter, Trevor, Megan, Michael, Tate & Trent. Friends may meet with the family on Sunday, June 28, 2015, from 2-4 pm, at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, where funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 am. Pastor Todd Viening will officiate. Interment at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Auguta. If considering making a charitable contribution in John's name, Please consider Camp Beachpoint, www.beachpoint.com