John Joseph Rochow

John Joseph Rochow, age 85, passed away on September 27, 2024, at his home in Horton, MI. He was born on May 10, 1939, in Bay City, MI to Clarence and Marguerite Rochow.

A graduate of Handy High School (Bay City, MI) in 1957, John went on to serve our country in the US Army from 1962 through 1968 spending time overseas in Germany as a ballistic artillery meteorologist and a skilled sharpshooter.  He later went on to complete his Bachelors degree in Biology and Earth Science from Central Michigan University and his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Forest and Plant Ecology from the University of Missouri.  After research at Oak Ridge National Laboratories (Oak Ridge, TN), John went on to work for and retire from Consumers Energy (Jackson, MI) after 27 years.  John was one of the first environmental planners for Consumers Energy and then later advanced to lead the Land and Water Department for the Company.

Outside of work John was involved in the Knights of Columbus, Hanover Horton Lions Club, an active member of St. Catherine Laboure church and enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, fishing, and watching the Detroit Lions, especially when they won!   

Yet, his greatest joy came from spending time with his loving wife, Joyce, and watching his children and grandchildren pursue their interests and celebrating their achievements. He loved his family, and it showed.   

John was preceded in death by his parents; Clarence and Marguerite Rochow; stepmother Helen Rochow; and siblings, Frank Rochow (Fran), Mary Ellen Klein (Dale), and Catherine Knott.  He is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by Joyce, his wife of 56 years in marriage, his children; Garrick Rochow (Valerie) and Gretchen Sanzone (Brian); his grandchildren, Brooklyn and Brock Rochow, and Audrey and Brett Sanzone; brother Charles Rochow (Nancy) and many friends and family. A celebration of John’s life will be held at St. Catherine Laboure church, Concord, MI at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Visitation will also be held at St. Catherine’s on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Catherine Laboure church, Veterans of Foreign Wars (https://www.vfw.org/), or The Nature Conservancy (https://www.nature.org).  

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