John Sherman Bishop

John Sherman Bishop, age 85, a lifelong Almont area resident passed away at his home Sunday morning, July 31, 2011, after suffering a severe stroke. John was born in Almont on March 24, 1926. He was the son of Leon T. and Emma (Borland) Bishop. John raised his family on the farm property which the Bishop family has owned since 1836. The farmhouse built by Truman Bishop in 1855 still stands on the property. John attended Almont community schools, graduating from Almont High School in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy immediately after high school and attended ROTC training at Notre Dame University. At the conclusion of World War II, John completed college at the University of Michigan where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. After college, John operated the Bishop Elevator and Lumber company, first with his father, then on his own for a number of years. In 1962 he accepted an offer to work with Hamill Manufacturing Co. as a quality control engineer. The ownership of John’s employer changed hands over the years and he ultimately retired from TRW in the late 1980’s. John married the former Judith Schirmer in 1955. They divorced in 1964 after having three sons, Bruce, Paul and John. In 1966 John married the former Geraldine (“Jerrie”) Wardell, who had a son, Gordon, by a previous marriage. John was a devoted and loving father to his four sons during his subsequent 45-year marriage to Jerrie. John was very active in the Almont area, serving for many years on the boards for the Almont School District and the Almont Savings Bank. He was a charter board member of the Four County Community Foundation. He was a lifelong member, deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Congregational Church of Almont and, for a time, led the local Boy Scout Troop. John enjoyed music and was a member of the Symphonia Chorale, First Congregational Church choir, and the “Royal Rubes Band.” In retirement, John loved working on his property, tending to his bees and working with his beloved John Deere Model B and Model 50 tractors. He touched the lives of many, many people in his community during his lifetime. John is survived by his wife Jerrie of Almont, children: Gordon I (Terri) Wardell of Paso Robles, California, Bruce A. (Lynn) Bishop of Holt, Michigan, Paul S. Bishop of Marshfield, Vermont, and John S. (Cristi) Bishop, II, of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and his step-mother, Lucille Bishop of Leonard, Michigan, and his sisters Mary Jean Lane and Jane E. Bishop, both of Ann Arbor, Michigan. John was preceded in death by his brothers Truman, Ronald, and Paul. Memorial services will be held at the First Congregational Church in Almont at a later date to be announced. The family would appreciate that donations in lieu of flowers be made to either the Four County Community Foundation or to the First Congregational Church of Almont. Arrangements by the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home, Romeo Michigan. Visitation: none planed Services: will be held at later date First Congregational Church Almont, Michigan