Joseph Rene Deschryver

LANSING – The world grew a little quieter when Joseph “Joe” Rene Theodore Deschryver, died on January 16, 2021, at the age of 88, due to complications from COVID-19. He was born July 8, 1932 in Vladslo, Belgium to Joseph and Febronie Deschryver. In 1949, at the age of 17, he and his family moved to Lansing. He graduated from Central High School in 1950. He enlisted in the Army during the Korean War where he became a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. Upon his honorable discharge, he worked at Oldsmobile, Exhibit and Display, for 34 years before retiring in 1994. He married Mary “Jane” Morris on October 6, 1956 and they spent 62 years together, loving and caring for each other, before her death in 2019. Together they raised five children: Mary Jo (Phil) Wippel, Carol (John) Stickney, Janet Herington, Mark (Darr) Deschryver, and Kay (Nick) McCord. He has 11 grandchildren: Katie Wippel and Marybeth (Brian) Derks; Sara, Rachel, and Daniel Stickney; Joe and Joshua Herington; Sebastian Deschryver; Chelsea and Zack McCord, and Hannah Pier. He also has five great-grandchildren: Barrett and Brinley Derks; Lexa Herington; Ellie and Jackson Pier. He is survived by two sisters: Hilda Deschryver and Rosa Rohlman. He is also survived by in-laws: Donald Houck, Stephen (Mary) Hundt, Joe (Helyne) Morris, and Margie Morris. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Noella Houck, Mary Hundt, and Dilly Perez; grandson-in-law, Jordan Pier; sisters-in-law Helen Lynch, Dorothy Morris, and Nancy Morris; and brothers-in-law Ronald Rohlman, Jessie Perez, Robert Lynch, Jim Morris, and Bill Morris. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joe was a member of St. Gerard Church where he attended 6:30 am Mass daily and was a server at funeral masses. Joe and Jane enjoyed many summer vacations packing their five children into an Oldsmobile and driving to various spots around the country. He enjoyed bowling and watching TV with the sound off since he couldn’t hear it anyway. During their retirement, he and his wife went on several cruises, bus tours and of course, there wasn’t a casino in northern Michigan they didn’t like! He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A special thanks to Joseph and Barb Frazier and all the staff at Fairview Grand Manor in Grand Ledge and to Heartland Hospice for their excellent care and patience with our Dad. There will be a private funeral service for immediate family only at St. Gerard Catholic Church. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery immediately following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairview Grand Manor or Heartland Hospice in his memory.