John Brooks

John L. Brooks, 88, of Battle Creek, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Bronson Battle Creek after a short illness. He was born in Hancock County, Tennessee on February 3, 1925 to Joe and Birdie (Farris) Brooks, the oldest of six sons. John attended school in Tennessee, farmed and drove a semi-truck until moving to Michigan in 1951. He married Ruby M. (Greer) Brooks on December 22, 1945 in Middlesboro, Kentucky. John worked at Eaton Manufacturing for nine years and then owned and operated John’s Garage for many years, retiring in 1992. He also performed heavy equipment repair for Universal Crane Company. Surviving is one son: Frank L. (Susan) Brooks of Battle Creek; two granddaughters: Lisa M. (Eric Swanson) Brooks of Midland and Karen R. (Corey Oberthaler) Brooks of Kalamazoo; one great-granddaughter: Alexandra G. Swanson; two brothers: Roy (Virginia) Brooks of Polk City, FL and Bobby Brooks of Ewing, VA; Sally (John) Hierons of Battle Creek who was like a daughter to John; and numerous nieces and nephews. His granddaughters were the light of his life! John was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; brothers: Robert M. Brooks, Amer H. Brooks and Johnnie Brooks. John enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating and water skiing. He also loved riding his Harley Davidson. He was a member of the Wolfenbarger Baptist Church in Tennessee and attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Battle Creek. John was a member of the Operating Engineers Local #324 and the N.R.A. For many years, he grew a large garden and kept family and friends in produce. John had volunteered at the Tri-County Labor Food Bank for eight years. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Kintigh officiating. Interment will follow at Hicks Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Tri-County Labor Agency, 5906 E. Morgan Road, Battle Creek, MI or Trinity United Methodist Church, 10 W. Bidwell Street, Battle Creek, MI. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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