John Prich

John Prich, 89, a lifelong Gagetown area farmer, passed away on March 15, 2016, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe while under Hospice Care, his family celebrating his life at his side.

He was born December 27, 1926, near Bach, MI to George and Martha (Haag) Prich. He attended school at St. Peter's Lutheran School in Bach for his primary education, and later was granted a GED from Sebewaing Schools following his time in the military. He assisted on the family farm near Bach, and in September of 1950, purchased 80 acres in Brookfield Township. He would later add 40 more acres in a lifetime of farming, retiring in 2000 to care for his wife, Helen. In his lifetime, he worked with horses, twin cylinder tractors and eventually larger machinery. He was intrigued by modern technology and enjoyed playing with many new things.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in November of 1952, finishing his initial training at Ft. Knox, KY and in March of 1953 traveled by train to New York City and reported to Ft. Totten, eventually training at Montauk firing range on 90 mm anti-aircraft guns. He was discharged in November of 1954, at the rank of corporal.

John married Helen Lenora Herman of Unionville on April 16, 1955, in Unionville after corresponding during his military service, building his own home with the assistance of his brother George and making room for his soon to be three children. During the winter seasons he would work at the Sebewaing Sugar Factory, assist his brother George in carpentry, or his brother-in-law Kenneth Herman in his dynamiting business. He assisted in wiring many commercial chicken coops in the Sebewaing, Pigeon and Bay Port areas. He and his brother, George, also did custom combining for dozens of area farmers for many years.

He was an avid and dedicated weather observer for more than 40 years, reporting temperature and rainfall to the local MSU Extension office, Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin. He was also a phenology observer for the USA National Phenology Network, reporting on springtime plant phenomena observations.

He was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Bach where he also assisted in construction of the current church building.

John is survived by his sons, Gerry (Suzanne) Prich of Bad Axe, and Harold (Janet) Prich of Gagetown, and his daughter, Karen Zeitler of Eaton Rapids; his grandchildren Brandon (Jandi) Prich, Rebecca Prich, Charles Prich, Cordell Prich, Jonathon Zeitler, and Joshua Zeitler. He is also survived by a brother, Albert (Marilyn) Prich of Owendale. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen in 2002; parents, George & Martha Prich; his brother George Prich, Jr. and sisters Florence Haag and Meta Menzel.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Juengel & Mellendorf Funeral Home in Sebewaing from 2-8pm.

The funeral service will be on Friday, March 18, 2016, at the funeral home at 11am. Visitation will be from 10am-11am.

Burial will be at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, (Bach, MI).

Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Bach, the American Cancer Society, or Hospice Advantage (Compassus) in Cass City.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to his physician, Dr. Laurey Hanselman, the staff of Scheurer Hospital, the staff from Hospice Advantage, and the staff that provided care while a resident at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. We are extremely grateful to all of these wonderful people who tended to John and his family during the final days.