Johnie Ray McGlaughlin

John was born on February 15, 1947, in Lansing, Michigan, to Raymond and Josephine McGlaughlin. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1965 before proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969.

A hardworking man with an incredible ability to fix, build, and create just about anything, John truly was a master of many trades. Throughout his career, he served with the Eaton County Sheriff's Office, worked at Motor Wheel Corporation, owned and operated his own chimney and janitorial businesses, and retired from General Motors after 25 years of dedicated service. Never one to sit still, he continued serving his community following retirement by working with the Clare County Sheriff's Office.

John believed in giving back to others. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), an active member of the Lions Club and the American Legion, and proudly served on the VFW Honor Guard, honoring fellow veterans with dignity and respect. He was also a lifelong blood donor, helping countless people through his generous gift of donation.

In his spare time, John enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. He loved tinkering in the garage, repairing things, and creating projects with meticulous attention to detail. Organization came naturally to him, and everything had its place. Although he was colorblind, his family loved teasing him over the years, creating many laughs and cherished memories. Above all else, John was devoted to his family. He shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Penny, and treasured the time he spent with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many people whose lives he touched.

John is survived by his loving wife, Penny; his children, Tanya (Todd) Moist and J. McGlaughlin; his grandchildren, Nicole (Josh) Dies, Eric Larner, Tyler (Rebecca) McGlaughlin, and Audrey (Ben) Dotson; his great-grandchildren, Luca, Natalie, Jackson, Dylan, Allison, Jaylynn, and Jace; his sister, Mary Geylin; his brothers-in-law, Tom Nehmer, Stewart (Colene) Bender, Tom (Pat) Dunn, and Dennis VanWormer; his sisters-in-law, Deborah Ottinger and Kelly (Mark) Geahan; his beloved dogs, Max, Ali, and Alana; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Josephine McGlaughlin; his sister, JoAnn Nehmer; and his sister-in-law, Pamela Clark.

Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Heart Association.

A memorial to celebrate John's life will be held on September 12, 2026 at 3pm at 7989 Windsor Highway, Dimondale, MI.