John D. Fetters

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John Fetters, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Spectrum Health Lakeland – St. Joseph surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11AM on Friday, May 10, 2019 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor David Stout officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, May 9, 2019 from 5 PM until 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Southwest Michigan or St. Joseph First Congregational Church. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

John was born on March 30, 1927, in Benton Harbor, to Clyde & Edith (Williams) Fetters. In 1945, John graduated from Benton Harbor High School. Shortly after graduation he proudly served our country by enlisting in the United States Navy. After returning home, John enrolled at DePauw University where he became a brother in the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. John graduated with distinction in 1950 with a degree in Economics. While attending a college reunion, John met the love of his life, Marilyn Holtman. On April 14, 1956, the two were married in Indianapolis. After college John returned home and joined his father and brother, Gene, in their family dry cleaning and men’s formalwear rental business, Sanitary Cleaners. Together with his brother, John and Gene expanded the family business to five stores in Northern Indiana and Michigan, along with ten dry cleaning branches and five routes in Southwestern Michigan. John was very active in the industry. He served as President of the Michigan Institute of Dry Cleaning, President of the M.I.L.D. Workmen’s Compensation Fund, Director of the National Institute of Dry Cleaning and The President of the International Fabricare Institute. He was also a proud member of the Bureau of Laundry & Dry Cleaning Standards, and Midwest Cost Bureau. In 1976, John became a Director of Fifth Third Bank, formally known as Peoples State Bank. He held this position for 26 years, retiring at age 75. John was a former member of the Benton Harbor Congregational Church and the St. Joseph Planning Commission. He was active in the St. Joseph First Congregational Church, Downtown Developmental Authority and The St. Joseph Improvement Association.

John enjoyed traveling, specifically to Venice, Italy, and spending the winters in Lauderdale by the Sea, FL. John loved to play golf. He was a lifetime member of Berrien Hills Country Club, before it was sold, as well as a member at The Point O’ Woods Country Club.

John is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marilyn; sons, John David (Coleman) Fetters of Mineral Point, WI and Jeffery (Claire) Fetters of St. Joseph; and grandsons, Zachary (Sita) Fetters and Ryan (girlfriend, Brytanie Killebrew) Fetters. John was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde & Edith; and brother, Gene (Mildred) Fetters.

Posted On: Wednesday, May 8, 2019 3:25 PM