John Anthony Erskine, 56, of Harrison went to be with his Lord on Saturday, February 9, 2013 with his family at his side. John was born June 15, 1956 in Gladwin, Michigan, the son of Thomas Alfred Erskine and Clara Anna (Miller) Erskine. During High School, John worked for Ted and Marion Cooper at the Swiss Miss Restaurant and Cooper Service Station. It was there that he met his wife, Valdine Cooper. On January 26, 1974, they were united in marriage in Zilwaukee, Michigan.
John worked briefly for Weldon’s Transit Mix of Harrison, but most of his life was spent operating heavy equipment in the logging/pulp industry. “Chipper” John worked the past nineteen years for Chris Muma Forest Products of Gladwin.
In years past, John was an active member of Skeel’s Baptist Church, where he assisted in the construction of Skeel’s Christian High School, he drove a church van on Wednesday nights for AWANA Club, and helped reroof the homes of many members who were in need. John lived for and loved his family. He was a kid magnet. When not working, John was in his workshop building bunk beds or tree houses, working on someone’s car, perfecting a backyard waterslide, or collecting boulders for another rock garden. Many summer weekends you could find him camping with his family or at least enjoying a backyard campfire.
Surviving is John’s loving wife of thirty nine years, Valdine Erskine of Harrison, three daughters: Amy Wright and husband David of Carleton, Michigan, Rebecca Driver and husband Jeremy of Bellefontaine, Ohio and Stacey Simonsen and husband Steve of L’anse, Michigan, two sons: John Erskine and wife Jill of Columbus, Ohio and Anthony Erskine and wife Jackie of Harrison, five sisters: Barbara Sherman and husband Donald of Gladwin, Anna Coon and husband Larry of Harrison, Mary Merritt and husband Stanley of Elmira, Michigan, Susan Odell of Standish, Michigan and Nancy Taverniti and husband Joseph of Pensacola, Florida, two brothers: Alfred Erskine and wife Phyllis of Harrison and Thomas Erskine and wife Karin also of Harrison, seven grandchildren: Megan, Ellisa, Ryley, Quinn, Jacob, Harlee and Andrew, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Erskine was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Hilda Erskine.
Funeral services for John will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. from Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison with Pastor John Shoaf officiating. Visitation for Mr. Erskine will take place on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Harrison. Memorial gifts in memory of Mr. Erskine may be considered to: Woodland Hospice. To share an online memory or condolence with John’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements for John are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989) 539-7810.