Jack Edwin Riness

Jack Edwin Riness died peacefully in his sleep on September 13, 2010in Traverse City, Michigan. He was born in Vassar, Michigan on April 12,1926 to Jess Riness (aka Jess Rhiness) and Grace (Valley) Riness. He is survived by a daughter, Linda (Thomas) Higgins of Thornton, Colorado (who is the mother of 2 sons and 1 daughter), Michael (Deborah Riness of Traverse City (who has 3 sons and 6 daughters). Jack also has 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a younger brother Jess(Bud) Riness of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and a younger brother Jerry (Sharon) Riness of Retreat, Wisconsin. He was preceeded in death by his beloved wife, Mae, his parents and an older brother (William) who died in infancy. Jack was a loving husband and father. He and Mae raised their children at East Lake, north of Moran. He lovingly cared for his wife for 6 1/2 years after she suffered a stroke until her death in October, 2007. Jack and Mae were moved to an assisted living home in Traverse City in May, 2007 so that they could receive more care and support from their son and his family. Jack was a veteran of the Marine Corps, having served in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese durring World War II. After the war, he came home to East Lake and followed the family tradition and became a bricklayer and stonemason. He was highly skilled in his work and served as the foreman of masonry construction crews for large commercial buildings for over 30 years. He was an excellent hunter and he loved fishing (especially for salmon in the Mackinac Straits). He was a member of the Moose Lodge and VFW in St. Ignace for many years. He was a member of the Bricklayers Union for over 60 years. Visitation will be Monday, September 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. and the funeral service will be Tuesday morning, September 21, at 12 noon at the Dodson Funeral home in St. Ignace. Interment will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Trout Lake. A luncheon will follow in Trout Lake. Officiating at the service will be his son, Michael Riness, Pastor. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels Community Action , St. Ignace, Michigan 49781

Tributes

Jack Edwin Riness

September 13, 2010