Joseph Michael Claerhout

Joseph (Joe) M. Claerhout, age 64, of Unionville passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.

Joe was born May 17, 1955, in Bay City, son of the late Lawrence and Maxine (Badour) Claerhout of Unionville.  He was married to Suzanne E. Claerhout on Sep 28, 1974, in Sebewaing.

Surviving are his children; son, Bill Claerhout, his wife, Amy, their son Tate, and daughter Tenley; a daughter Kristi Rieder and her husband Nick; a son Tom Claerhout, his wife, Renea, and their son Colten.  Surviving siblings and their spouses; Linda and Greg Jacobs, Cathy and Gordon Gaeth, Don and Sheri Claerhout, Dave and Laurie Claerhout.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Suzie, and elder brother Larry Claerhout.

Joe graduated from Unionville-Sebewaing High School in 1973.  He worked on the family farm with his father until he eventually took over the potato farm in 1980, which he and Suzie ran until 2000. They were also co-owners of Claerhout Greenhouse's in Sebewaing, along with Joe's brother Don and his wife Sheri from 1988 to 2000.  He and Suzie then ventured into motorcycle sales with Claerhout Husqvarna from 1998 to 2005.  After that, he transitioned back into the farming industry as a crop insurance adjuster and eventually area supervisor for Pro Ag.  Finally and most memorable for the community, Joe and Suzie founded and ran the MPX racing motocross track in Sebewaing from 1999 until 2011.

During his younger years, when Joe was not busy with family and businesses, he could be found outside working in the barn or riding dirt bikes.  As he got older his love of the outdoors and deer hunting grew, he was always working on a new hunting project to draw in the bucks...  He and Suzie enjoyed going up north to the cabin together.  After Suzie's passing, Joe became quite the author and penned two books detailing their journey together with cancer and life lessons along the way.  He was an extremely caring brother, father, grandfather, husband, and friend that will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 pm, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at Juengel & Mellendorf Funeral Home, Sebewaing.

Funeral services will be at 11 am on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 800 E Bay St. Sebewaing.  Visitation at the church will begin at 10am and a luncheon will follow in the great room of the church.

Arrangements have been made for cremation after his services, and he will be laid to rest with his wife Suzie at a later date.

Memorial donations may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church.