Jack Lynn Lansing, of Hartland, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2023. He was 77 years old.
Born on September 14, 1945 in the big town of Clare, Mi, Jack Lynn Lansing started bringing joy to everyone around him. His parents, Percy and Lenore, had one more child, Cindy. This completed their family. He lived in Clare until shipping off to Korea with the United States Army. His early years were spent outdoors hunting and fishing with his cousins. He was also very active in sports. He earned a varsity letter in baseball, and played football and basketball as well. If he was not out playing sports or enjoying the outdoors, you would find him earning that “green stuff.” One of the jobs he talked about most was making ice cream novelties and filling ice cream cups at the ice cream factory outside of Clare. He enjoyed working as much as he enjoyed playing.
His time in the military was a life changing experience. He was chosen to serve by a lottery drawing and was stationed in Seoul, Korea. It would end up paying life long dividends. He was so proud to represent the greatest country on earth. And he had a great appreciation for America because he was so well traveled. The Army afforded him the opportunity to take leaves and see that side of the world. He would take long weekends to different countries/cities and take in everything he could in those 48 hrs. He was able to hold some pretty cool positions. Working in the mail room was one of them. This helped him to get to know everyone and soon officers were seeking him out to come and work with them in their departments. He enjoyed that he learned how to drive some big heavy trucks. He also met some life long friends and talked fondly of what his country gave him through his service.
After boot camp in Colorado, he had some leave at home before he left for Korea. It was during this time that he went on a blind date with a young lady from Central Michigan University. Jack and Barb first met bowling on this blind date. They hit it off and would continue to write to each other weekly while Jack was in Korea.
Returning home after the military, he finished up an associate degree from Ferris State University. He would often tell stories of hitchhiking between Big Rapids and Clare. He made some friends that would eventually tell him he didn’t need to ask anymore. They would plan on taking him that way every Friday after class. He always was a guy you felt comfortable with and his smile was so warming, even strangers felt they knew him. Getting over to Clare afforded him the opportunity to get to Mt Pleasant for the weekends. Jack and Barb dated while he finished up at Ferris and continued to date after that.
Upon completing his degree at Ferris, he moved in with his Aunt and Uncle in Lansing, Michigan. At this time, he became Jack Lansing from Lansing. He would have that punch line ready at all times. It served him well as he took a full time position at Sears and Robuck. As soon as he felt he had a stable job, he asked Barb to be his wife and she said yes. A few years after their marriage was off to a great start, the draft was in effect for the Vietnam War. Barb was at home watching the draft on TV when the very first birthdate pulled was Sept 14th. She called Jack at work to talk about how grateful they were that he had served earlier when called and did not have to go to war. So thankful God had protected Jack from that.
He worked in sales in the men’s department for almost 27 years. He made a lot of friends through his connections with his clients. He enjoyed working there as it allowed him to take some long weekends for family trips and work around his kids sports schedule. Jack delighted in always being there cheering on the kid’s in every activity.
Jack and Barb ended up staying in Lansing to start their family. Amy was the first born with Jill to follow. Jack II was the first boy and William made the family whole. Love was at the center of all decisions and he made sure we all knew it.
You could always count on Jack and Barb to open their home to their friends and family. He didn’t have a lot, but what he did, he was willing to give. He was the host Dad to over 30 exchange students through out the world. They all called him Dad and he treated all of them as his children. It was an awesome experience for our family to continue to have new brothers and sisters. He made it a point to take them each to Washington DC to see our Nation’s Capital. The financial burden was heavy, but he didn’t worry about that. “I’ll just make more,” he would say. Our family has maintained relationships with many of these siblings throughout the years. Benno from Switzerland, Toni from Australia, and Michelle from Germany have especially maintained our strong family bonds with multiple visits back visiting their American family and attending special family events. He would take the family overseas often to see our brother and sisters across the sea as well.
Lansing was a great place to raise his family. The people and community could not have been better. You would often find his family at Central United Methodist Church, where they have been members for almost 50 years, enjoying God’s word and the warmth of the members. He was a true believer. He passed that love down to whom ever was around him. All of his kid’s friends were treated like family. He always wanted everyone to feel comfortable and invited. He made sure to include everyone. He believed that every day was a gift from God and he lived that way.
As his kids grew up and married, he would never want to miss anything his grandkids were doing. He would be ready hours in advance, waiting for the time to come where he could see them. He lived for others. He had a special bond with each of his grand children. He oozed love, kindness and generosity. He always told his children and grandchildren they can do anything they set their mind to doing.
Jack believed in everyone. Everyone was a child of God and deserved a “break.” He treated everyone equally, as everyone brought value. He was always ready to help anyone, if he could not do it himself, he would find someone to help. He was a huge light onto the world. He will be so terribly missed.
Son of the late Percy and Pearl Lansing, Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Barbara Lansing; children, Amy (Kenneth) Berry, Jill (Curtis) Hahn, Jack (Kelly) Lansing II, and William (Anastasia) Lansing; grandchildren, Celeste, Ryan, and Amelia Berry, Alexander, Julianna, and Nathaniel Hahn, Jack III, Henry, and Luke Lansing; sister, Cindy Skorzeweski; also many extended family and dear friends.
Jack is preceded in death by his in-laws, Ralph and Alice Butler; brother-in-laws, Jack Skorzewski, Craig Pillow, and Arthur Butler.
Visitation will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty St., Milford, MI 48381 on Friday, March 3rd, 2023 from 1 – 8pm.
A Funeral Service will be on Saturday, March 4th, 2023 at First United Methodist Church of Brighton, 400 E. Grand River Avenue
Brighton, MI 48116, at 11am with gathering beginning at 10am.
Interment will be held at Great Lakes National on a later date.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the:
Wounded Warriors Project
P.O. Box 758517
Topeka, KS 6667
Veteran Administration Hospital of Ann Arbor bag sponsorship.
@Amy-Berry-84, Note VA gift/Jack Lansing
Checks made out to Amy Berry Memo VA Gift
Howell American Legion Post 141
HAYAA Football
PO Box 359
Hartland, MI 48353
Venmo – @Hayaa-Football