John Leslie Wessinger

John Leslie Wessinger passed away peacefully at home early Wednesday morning, May 5th, 2010, at the age of 72. Diagnosed with a rare angiosarcoma three years ago, John battled for his life with courage and dignity. John was born to Leslie and Emma Wessinger on December 20, 1937 in Ann Arbor and remained a resident until his death. He was in the last graduating class from the old Ann Arbor High School in 1955: sadly, his alma mater has been razed. After high school graduation, John completed his studies in Business Administration at Eastern Michigan University. While still an undergraduate student, John and several close friends started a painting company called ‘Modern Painters.’ This venture resulted in a lifetime fascination and commitment to giving new life to older properties. Initially, he went to work for the Ford Motor Company in Labor Relations at the River Rouge Plant, as had his father before him. However, a corporate life was just not in his entrepreneurial blood. In the early 1970’s, John joined the faculty at the University of Michigan Dearborn Campus as the Chairman of the Business Internship Program where he placed many students in authentic business opportunities throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area. It was a source of great pride throughout his life that he was able to play such a key role in launching the careers of so many of his students. His last career phase really began as an avocation: the restoration and leasing of University of Michigan Off-Campus properties. This endeavor quickly became a full time occupation. John was an early member of the Washtenaw Area Apartment Association, where he was a staunch advocate for quality student housing. From 1968 until the present, he had been so much more than a landlord to his student tenants: he was a parent in loco, a confidant, a teacher, a friend and a trusted mentor. His influence extended beyond his tenants to his peers, his protégés in the restoration business; he was a businessman who believed in supporting local companies and encouraged many to build their own businesses under his tutelage. His company, Wessinger Properties, LLC, continues today under the management of his son, Nicholas Else. John was a much loved family patriarch, devoted to his wife of thirty four years, his children, grandchildren, siblings, and all of his nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a loyal friend with a wicked and wide sense of humor; an honest man with a talent for encouraging the best out of all those lucky enough to come in contact with him; and a hard worker who still took the time to enjoy the pleasures of long weekends ‘Up North’ with the people he cherished. John is survived by his wife, Lelahni; son Nicholas Else (Bethany) of Ann Arbor; daughter Michele Ferguson (Joe) of Jupiter , Florida; son Steve Wessinger (Sharon) of Sunrise, Florida; sister Martha Vellano (Anthony) of Palm Beach, Florida; sister Alice Kelly (Jack) of Cincinnati, Ohio; brother James Wessinger (Marjorie) of Okemos, Michigan; grandchildren Annie Else, Colin Ferguson, Ashley Ferguson, Christopher Bozas; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews. His is also survived by his uncle, Bob O’Hara, of Colorado. Family visitation will be held at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel today, Sunday, May 9th from 4 until 6 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, on Monday, May 10th at 11:30 AM. Charitable contributions may be made to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army in John’s memory.