John Karl Ehrenfeld

John Karl Ehrenfeld, 72 of Livonia Michigan was called home to heaven on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. John was born in Plymouth, Michigan in November of 1952 to Karl and Eleanor Ehrenfeld. As a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran he served the congregation as a deacon and various other roles for 58 years. John attended elementary school at St. Paul’s and was involved with the Young People’s Society in his youth. John was the Captain of the swim team at Bentley High School in Livonia and graduated in 1970. John and Dawn were married at St. Paul’s on September 30, 1978. Together they raised four children and enjoyed spoiling six grandchildren. John worked at Ford Motor Company for 34 years before retiring in 2011. He began working at Ford in tool and die at the Dearborn plant then moved to the Experimental Gear Lab in Livonia. John was an avid duck hunter and established The Knucklehead Duck Club in 1971 with friends. John was a member of the Wayne Country Shooting Club, and the NRA. He enjoyed teaching others about his joy of hunting and loved all things outdoors, spending many family vacations camping across Michigan and Canada. He was a talented wood craftsman and often built custom pieces for family and friends that have become cherished possessions. John was also a keen reader and very interested in learning about history from all eras. He had a sharp memory and enjoyed engaging in conversations about historical events as well as local history. John is best known for his flawless execution of the perfectly timed “Dad Joke” and loved to find ways to elicit a smile from just about anyone who would lend him an ear. His warm humor translated into an open home, where he and his wife extended a heartfelt welcome to all who entered. His spirit shown brightly here on earth and will be greatly missed by those who were blessed to have known him.

John is survived by his wife of 46 years Dawn (nee Green), son Nathan, daughter Lisa (Gregory) Zarycki and grandchildren Caleb and Audrey, daughter Cheryl Ehrenfeld and grandchildren Oliver and Elizabeth Queener, daughter Renae (Michael) Ventimiglia and grandchildren Vivian and Lydia. He is also survived by sisters Elisabeth (Donald) Haines and Margaret (Joseph) Osinski.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 3:00-8:00pm at Harry J Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, Michigan 48152. An in state will occur Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 11:00-11:30am at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 17810 Farmington Rd, Livonia, Michigan 48152, followed by a service beginning at 11:30am. John will be laid to rest at Glen Eden Memorial Park

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory are appreciated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.