John Schuring

John Schuring was fun loving and friendly, interesting and exciting. Eager to be in places where he could meet people, he showed a genuineness of character that attracted others to him. John was skilled in his work and laid back in his leisure. His style and interests suggest that he was “a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll.”

John was born July 7, 1961 in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the beginning of the turbulent 1960s, marked by protests over the Vietnam War and civil rights marches for equal treatment under the law for all Americans. He was the oldest child of Jerry and Linda (Moyle) Schuring and big brother to Tim, Michael and JJ.

John, otherwise known as Johnny or “9 Toes” to his friends, was a country boy of sorts. During his school years, he was active in the Future Farmers of America organization, listened to country music as was well as rock n’ roll, liked watching rodeos and always had horses that he tended. He played football in his early years at Vicksburg High School, where he graduated in 1980.

In 1990, John joined his family in a new business venture. With experience in road construction, John’s father and mother started JL Milling Inc, an asphalt recycle and reclaiming company in Schoolcraft, Michigan. John himself served as project manager to make the company what it is today.

The year 1997 was also pivotal for John. He met Alice at a “blessing of the horses” ceremony in Irons, Michigan. Actually, she first met John’s brother Tim when they all ended up in the same bar one evening. As it happened, Tim went to find a seat, and when he noticed a table of young women that included Alice, he boldly asked if he and his brother could join them. Equally bold, John grabbed Tim’s beer and offered it to Alice, and the rest is history. The couple married on May 8, 1999 in Vicksburg.

Having met Alice where he did, it was little wonder that John liked to hang out where most everyone else did. The Village Hide-A-Way in Vicksburg attracted many of the locals, and it was quite possibly John’s favorite place on earth. He especially liked the Friday night steak special and rarely missed the evening of good times with friends and family.

As a hobby, John collected beer signs and other memorabilia. Truth be told, he was a pack rat and hung on to anything and everything. In true 60s fashion, he loved his tie-dye (hippie) shirts and seemed to adopt a peaceable attitude that went with them. His family attributed John’s nurturing side to his mother, yet it benefitted many others, including his daughters, Casandra and Shianne. Those who knew and loved John will miss him and remember him for the joy he brought into their lives.

John H. Schuring, age 51 of Vicksburg, passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo with his family there by his side. His family includes his wife, Alice; two daughters, Casandra and Shianne Schuring, of Vicksburg; parents: Jerry and Linda Schuring of Vicksburg; three brothers: Tim Schuring of Vicksburg; Michael Schuring of Texas; JJ Schuring of Schoolcraft. He is also survived by many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents: Ramona and Daniel Moyle; John and Blanche Schuring, and Giles Wright.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 10th from 2 to 5 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). The funeral service will be on Monday 11 AM at the same location.

Please visit John’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign his memory book online. Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the American Heart Association and/or Kairos Dwelling.