Glenn H. Houghton

Hardworking, driven, and honorable are just a few of the words that come to mind when reflecting on the life of Glenn Houghton. He was a man of honor who was a firm believer in wholeheartedly applying himself to everything he did. Glenn’s family was his greatest treasure, and it was with the love of his life, Ruth, by his side that he witnessed his family tree blossom to include children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren he adored. He was kindhearted, generous, and ever mindful of those around him with a desire to help in ways both great small. A inspiration to everyone he met, Glenn will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were within his reach.

The days of the 1920s, which are often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, were some of the most exciting days we have seen as a nation. Radios, affordable cars, and both the refrigerator and the washing machine were signs of the time while baseball became America’s favorite pastime. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1923 that was filled with great joy for a young couple from Michigan City, Indiana, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on December 11th. Glenn was the second of five children born to his parents, Howard and Sophia (Fritz) Houghton, and he was raised in the family home alongside his sisters, Doris and Muriel and his brothers, Bill and Jerry.

Although the 1920s were days of great prosperity, the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Countless American families felt the strain, and the Houghton family was no different. They moved frequently around Northern Indian and Southwest Michigan depending on where they could find work. Glenn excelled in school while contributing to the family income with a paper route. He and his family eventually settled in Vicksburg where Glenn attended local schools and graduated from high school. After school he worked building airplanes for Willow Run. It was quite the experience, too, as he even got to meet Henry Ford while working one day.

Glenn’s work experience made him a natural fit for the Air Force after the landscape of America was forever changed with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was trained as bombardier, and he became an important part of history as the radio operator on the lead plane that led the bombing on D-Day.

During the war years he met a beautiful Three Rivers girl named Ruth Speidel at the roller rink with whom he corresponded with during the remainder of the war. When he returned home, they began dating and soon fell in love and married on June 6, 1946. And for 65 years they shared they wedding anniversary with D-Day.

As a young newlywed, Glenn was focused on the future. He started taking classes at Western Michigan University where he studied engineering. Glenn later transferred to Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana, and graduated with a degree in radio engineering. After working as an engineer in Bangor for several years he moved to Vicksburg, and joined his father in the family business. He was an integral part in the growth of the business ultimately becoming general manager and president of the company. His work ethic was impeccable, and he was even known to work on holidays if necessary. Glenn’s children learned what it means to work hard by watching their father, and they in turn worked hard in everything they did as well. Glenn was a great boss and innovative in motivating his employees in a variety of ways like taking them on team building fishing trips, giving out achievement awards at weekly meetings, and giving incentive bonuses before this was commonly done. Under Glenn’s leadership, Houghton Manufacturing Company is the oldest family owned company still in business in the village of Vicksburg.

Even though his work was an integral part of his life, both Glenn and Ruth were all about family. They raised their five children including Linda, Cheryl, Nancy, Barb, and Jim as a team in their home that Glenn built himself from the ground up on Thrall Avenue. The building of their home was a family affair as well as all five of Glenn’s children helped pound nails. This was the place that Glenn called home at the young age of 90.

In his time away from work, Glenn was still one to be busy. He took great care in maintaining his lawn, and he loved gardening, too. For many years Glenn enjoyed golfing, fishing, woodworking and especially traveling with Ruth. Together they covered a good portion of the United States including wintering in their Lakeland, Florida home near his beloved Detroit Tigers baseball team. Glenn was also an avid reader who read everything from comic strips to in depth pieces on the history of the Civil War and ancient world history. As a child, Glenn would even grab an encyclopedia to read if that was the only thing he could find! He absolutely fell in love with the Harry Potter series to the point of reading them numerous times. Glenn treasured the companionship of his faithful dog, Bunky. Known for his independence, he was able to live on his own even after being diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2013.

All who knew Glenn Houghton would agree that he was an extraordinary man in every way. Although he was more quiet and reserved by nature, he was approachable, warm, and kind as well. Glenn was a man of sound moral character with a drive to succeed in everything he did - his life truly an inspiration. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Glenn H. Houghton died June 21, 2014. Glenn’s family includes his children, Linda (Larry) Knowlton, Cheryl (Stephanie Lee) Houghton, Nancy (Dennis) Shoemaker, Barb (Rick) Atkinson, and Jim (Cheri) Houghton; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry (Millie) Houghton; dog, Bunky; and many other relatives. Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth in 2011; grandson, Bradley Glenn Pinkerton; and his sisters, Doris Porter & Muriel “Sis” Pesta and his brother, Bill Houghton. Visit with his family on Tuesday, June 24th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Homes, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main Street (649-1697) where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 25th at 1:00 p.m. Please visit Glenn’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign his guestbook. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the West Michigan Cancer Center.