Jon A. Study

Jon Study, 87 of Gaylord (Michaywe), Michigan passed away peacefully on Sunday morning November 6, 2022, at McLaren Hospital with his wife and daughters by his side. Jon was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on July 13, 2021. He fell in his home on October 31st breaking some bones which led to an earlier death. 

Jon was born on September 16, 1935, to his parents John and Ruth (DeBolt) Study. He was the 7th son and 12th of 13 children. Being raised on a farm he always had an interest in agriculture. He was a member of 4H and FFA and was especially interested in trees. He enjoyed watching his seeds grow into beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables.  This lifelong hobby eventually led to purchasing the Valley Nursery of Livonia where he and his wife worked for 20 years.

Jon was married for 67 years to his high school sweetheart Carolyn (Jack) Study. They raised 3 children together, Myla (Tom Jewett), Melinda (Jim Pawloski) and Michael (deceased).  Carolyn was the domestic engineer, and all of the children and spouses were science and engineering professionals. Grandson Ian Schechter is a business professional.

Jon was a proud father and grandfather always keeping in touch with his family.  He was preceded in death by his son Michael, his parents John and Ruth, his 7 brothers; Robert, Jean, Bill, Jack, Ken, Earl, and Larry and 4 sisters; Betty, Ona, and twins Ila and Ina. His sister Joyce of Ukiah, CA, age 92 is the sole survivor of the 13 children. He is survived by sisters-in-law Jan Study, Marilyn Peterson, Melanie Clark (and Gregory) and many nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Portland High School Jon entered Purdue University and graduated with his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and began a career in the aircraft and space industry. His big dream in high school was to be the first man on the moon.  This he did not fulfill but his work on the LEM (lunar excursion module) and installing Titan 1 missiles in northern California kept him "in touch" with his love of airplanes, rockets, and outer space. 

After graduating from Purdue his career began with Bendix Corp. of Hamilton, Ohio. He was transferred by Bendix to St Joe, Michigan. The next step in his career moved his family to Paradise, California where he joined AMF working to install Titan One missiles many stories underground. When that work was completed, the next move was to Dayton, OH and then to Grosse Pointe Woods, MI working in the aircraft industry. He finished his career with Ford Motor Co. and retired after 20 years in the light truck division in 1998. After retirement he sold the nursery and moved to their new home in Gaylord, MI. He began volunteering, became a master gardener, a leader with 4H, and stayed active with the United Methodist Church. He was a member of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and helped to remodel their airplane hangar at the Gaylord Airport. With his daughter and many close friends, he restored a Victorian home, an old farmhouse with barns, constructed greenhouses and built a log home. He was very inventive and enjoyed working with his hands, tinkering, and small engine repair.  He enjoyed his life to the fullest. ALS slowed him down, but he continued to be involved, especially working in many gardens. 

A memorial service for Jon will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 11 am at First United Methodist Church at 215 S. Center Ave., Gaylord, MI with visitation beginning at 9:30 am prior to the service officiated by Pastor Paul Gruenberg and Rev. John Naile. After the service his cremated remains will be buried in the church memorial gardens followed by a Thanksgiving meal at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Jon may be made to First United Methodist Church Memorial Garden Fund, Munson Healthcare-OMH Foundation or to Michigan Medicine University of Michigan ALS Center of Excellence. We will be forever grateful to Sandy Lemkin, Dr. Goutman and the team of doctors at the Michigan Medicine ALS Center of Excellence. Also, many thanks to Dr. Li and Dr. Bobish for their professional care and friendship. The family is indebted to ComForCare of Gaylord and their caregivers Alesia, Ashley, Carla, Jackson, Jill, Laura, Maria, Sham, Theresa and Tammy for their tender loving care of Jon.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.