Jack August Woltmann Sr.

On March 17, 2023, Jack August Woltmann, Sr. passed away at the age of 98½ years old. At the time Jack was residing in Spring Arbor Assisted Living, Spring Arbor, Michigan. For over 65 years Jack lived in Horton, Michigan.

Jack was born on September 30, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan to Henry Gottfreid Edwin (Jack) Woltmann and Josephine Elizabeth Woltmann, nee Schranz. His siblings were William (deceased in childhood), Richard Woltmann, and Elizabeth (Bettie) Jones, nee Woltmann.

Although born in Detroit, at a young age Jack’s family moved to, and he grew up outside of, Gladwin, Michigan where he attended elementary school and high school. Part way through 12th grade Jack left school to do his patriotic duty by joining the U.S. Navy.

In the navy Jack was involved in the U.S. invasion of Okinawa, primarily transporting personnel between ship and shore after the initial U.S. forces had landed. Whenever his Okinawa time was mentioned he’d tell the story of how one time he jumped to a .50 caliber machine gun as a Japanese kamikaze plane was bearing down on his ship. He cocked the machine gun, lined up the sights on the pilot he could clearly see, then squeezed the trigger…to no effect! He jumped overboard just as the enemy plane buzzed barely overhead to crash into and explode in the next ship in what was a line of ships. He said the concussion paralyzed his legs but he was able to stay afloat with his arms until he got picked up. Jack had a number of stories that, after the telling, he’d finish by saying something like, “I can’t believe I’ve lived this long. So many times it could’ve been all over for me. I’ve had a very full life.” After his honorable discharge Jack returned to Gladwin where he finished earning his high school diploma.

As a young man Jack worked the oil fields of northern Michigan but in the early 1950s he responded to an invitation from his uncle, Joe Verlynde, to apply to Jackson, Michigan’s LeFere Forge where he was hired and worked until retirement. Jack enjoyed the physical work of operating the drop-forge hammers and was involved in union activities including being a union steward.

In 1952, at what was to become the Horton Congregational Church, Jack, bringing two children from a previous marriage, wedded Mary Belle Stiles and he and Mary B. then had three more children. Mary B., his one in a million, were married for 43 years until she passed away in 1995.

Jack was raised as a Lutheran but then he married Mary Belle. Coming to Michigan by way of Tennessee then West Virginia, Mary grew up in the Southern Baptist church. They fairly regularly attended Sunday services, but exactly where was a point of negotiation. He enjoyed the churches and especially the music. After Mary passed away Jack has affiliated with the Congregational Church in Horton.

Jack had a lifelong interest in hunting and fishing, beginning as a boy when, during the Great Depression, bringing home fish and game was a matter of subsistence. During the 60s and 70s he kept his shotgun and hunting coat just inside his home’s back door. Returning home from work he’d drop off his lunch bucket, don the hunting gear, grab his trusty Ithaca pump shotgun and head out to the woods and fields. He’d routinely return home at dusk with an assortment of game: squirrels, rabbits, pheasants—all destined for the supper table. He also liked planting stuff. In his earlier years he’d tried a number of crops (potatoes, corn, onions, etc.) in his cultivated field that was, unfortunately, susceptible to getting water logged. For years he, along with Mary Belle, maintained at least one good-sized vegetable garden. In addition to hunting and farming, he also did a great deal of his own carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and car repair…he truly was a “Jack” of all trades. He was a homebody and he really loved his little piece of earth!

He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, especially cribbage. He has a prized cribbage board that, long ago, he won in a Jackson cribbage tournament.

Jack was known for his sense of humor: both earthy and mischievous. But his sense of what’s funny was developed in an era with different perceptions of appropriateness: Jack would make jokey comments, quips and observations that most people, even him occasionally, couldn’t get away with. But somehow Jack not only got away with saying things that could be deemed a bit salty or, potentially, somehow offensive, most people really enjoyed him for the apparently innocent rascal he was. His intent wasn’t to offend but to get a smile and people seemed to understand this.

If asked, I think that Jack would say that his greatest achievement was helping to raise his 5 children. Ok, this was during the 50s and 60s so his child rearing involvement was in a support role to Mary Belle, but he was always a palpable influence (You just wait ‘til your father gets home!). He did make sure all of his kids could 1) fire a shotgun and 2) change a car tire once they were old enough to drive. He was proud that if, after high school, any of his kids came to him for help with education then he was always there for them. As a factory worker supporting seven people, finances were often tight. As kids left the nest, and the nest got paid off, he could be very generous to his family and friends.

Jack is survived by children Pearl Jimenez and husband Austin, Mesa, AZ, Jack Jr. and wife Jeannette, Ann Arbor, Mary Victoria (Vickie) Maino, Jackson, MI, William (Bill) and wife June, Jamestown, NY and Joseph and wife Karen, Toledo, OH. Also surviving is a brother Richard Woltmann, Jackson, Michigan and a sister Elizabeth (Bettie) Jones, Essexville, Michigan. In addition he is survived by grandchildren Chad Jimenez, Angie Fagan (nee Jimenez), Ryan Jimenez, Emily Woltmann, Sarah Woltmann-Elsworth, Erin Herrington (nee Maino), Jessica Spak (nee Woltmann), William Woltmann, Kelsey Woltmann-Cole and Alex Liberty (nee Woltmann). He also has numerous great grandchildren.

In addition to wife Mary Belle, Jack is predeceased by his son-in-law Michael Maino and grandson Theodore (Ted) Maino.

Per his wishes Jack’s body will be cremated and the ashes interred next to wife Mary Belle in Highland Cemetery, Gladwin, Michigan. There will be a memorial service officiated by Pastors Christine Murphy and Craig Goodluck at the Horton Congregational Church, 7724 Moscow Road, Horton, Michigan on Saturday, April 8 at 11 AM. Family visitation will be available prior to the memorial service starting at 10 AM and there will be a luncheon at the church after the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers at the memorial service, the family requests that donations be made to the Horton Congregational Church.

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