John Gumpper

Passed away Monday March 24, 2025, with his family by his side. John was born on August 30, 1924, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Otto and Lucile (Pierson) Gumpper. He would attend South Side High School with his sisters, Faye and Lois, where he would participate in many activities. One of the activities was being the editor of the school newspaper, where he became acquainted with his future wife, Laura "Jane" Klinefelter. John and Jane were married while he was a student at Purdue University on April 5, 1947. While in school, John and Jane would welcome a daughter, Susan, into the world. While John was in Korea with the Army, his son, John IV, was born in Indiana, and later, Matthew and Patrick were born in Michigan. While at Purdue University, John earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering. After 68 years of loving, actively interesting, marriage, Jane passed in 2015 and rests at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. While in the Army, John would serve 10 years on active and non-active duty. Starting as a private, he emerged during World War II as a first lieutenant in a combat engineer battalion and was stationed in Europe until the end of the war. In 1951 John was called to active duty and left service after duty as company commander in the 194th eng. Combat Bn. In Korea. John was hired by the Upjohn Company in 1949 as an industrial engineer. He would later become a member of management and earn the Upjohn award in 1964. John would eventually reach the office of Vice President for Pharmaceutical Production. He retired in 1989. John was very active in his personal life as well. He was active in various PTA's and coached teams at Oakwood Little League for many years. He participated in sports, such as tennis, well into his 80's. In retirement, he served on the board for many years at Habitat for Humanity. He also served for wards of the probate court, making over 400 visits and was very active in church. Surviving John are his children, Susan, John IV (Barbara), Patrick (Elaine), Matthew; grandchildren, John V, Ryan (Jami), Erin, Rachel, Laura (Lance Riegle); great grandchildren, Jackson and Charlotte; numerous cousins, and many others. A memorial gathering will be held in John's honor on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 2PM to 5PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 622 South Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007. John will join Jane at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at a later date in May. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, 448 North Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007, or Third Christian Reformed Church, 2400 Winchell Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008. To view John's personalized guestbook, please visit,