John A. Zipple

Lansing, Michigan

83, went to be with his Lord on July 8, 2017. He was born October 24, 1933 in Lansing, MI to Karl G. and Anna F. (Malik) Zipple. He graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit in 1951. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict from June 1953 - May 1955, and served another 9 years in the Army Reserve. He attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor's Degree in Police Administration/General Law Enforcement. He remained a loyal Spartan Fan. He also attended the University of Detroit for 1year, and Western Michigan University's MBA program.

John worked 4 years with the Federal IRS. After that, he worked for the State of Michigan in the Insurance Bureau until he retired in July 1989.

On September 15, 1956, he married Joan K. Knight who predeceased him on September 2, 1989. He and Joan had 5 children: Terri (Mike) Hecksel, Tina Hunt, Tim (Nancy) Zipple, Angie Kitzman (fiancé, Mark Moody), and Pete (Kim) Zipple; 11grandchildren, Katie (Alicia) Neal-Hecksel, Kevin (Angela) Hecksel, Brian & Brittany Hunt, Monica & Eric Zipple, Abbi, Tim & Matt Reynolds, and Emily & Adam Zipple; and 4 great-grandchildren, Molly & Caroline Neal-Hecksel, Leo & Quinn Hecksel.

On May 7, 1994, John married Lois M. Laschinski who predeceased him in death on September 22, 2012. He is also preceded in death by his parents; brother, Karl Jr. and sister-in-law, Betty; and brother, Matthew and sister-in-law, Ruth.

John was an active member of St. Mary Cathedral where he was a Senior Server and a former Parish Council member. He was an avid crossword and word jumble solver! He was very handy and did much of the finish work on the house he built with Joan in Delta Township. In his younger years, he worked on his own and his children's cars. He was a wealth of information on various topics, and was sought out for his wise advice.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 13, 2017 at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing with Msgr. George C. Michalek officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM with a Rosary Service at 7 PM at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing, and 1 hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to St. Mary Cathedral. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family is being served by Tiffany Funeral Home. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com