Jon Michael Luther

Jon Michael Luther was born on January 17, 1943 at home, in Cataract WI. To Raymond (John) and Mildred E. (Becker) Luther. He was welcomed into this world by his loving parents. But, Jon Michael would never know his mother. She became seriously ill, and passed away 5 days after his birth. Mildred never got to hold her beautiful baby boy. She chose his name “Jon Michael” before her death. Today, we celebrate the reunion of a mother and son. What a joyous occasion that must have been, to hold her son for the first time. Jon Michael’s father remarried a year later to Anna Mae (Gable) Luther, and from that union 3 children were born: an infant daughter who passed away, Jimmy Lee Luther, and Marjorie (Luther) Berg.

Jon Michael was a hardworking man. He started working for Arthur Overgaard Inc, in 1963, and through several merges Schendel/Overgaard, and eventually Mathy Construction. Driving dump truck, and various other heavy equipment for 42 years. He mowed the Leon Cemetery for several years, and became a groundskeeper at McMullen Memorial County Park in Warrens WI. He took great pride in his work!

Jon Michael loved camping, cooking, fishing, and hunting. He could fix almost anything! He was known as the neighborhood handyman. He enjoyed restoring old tractors. He was an avid blood donor, and had given 6 gallons before being diagnosed with cancer. If anyone needed anything done, he was there.

His greatest joy was his wife, Lois J. (Stannard) Luther of 56 years. Three children: Laurie (Gordon) Geier, Michael Jon Luther, Christopher (Lori) Luther.  Ten grandchildren: Zachary(Jennifer) Geier, Jeremy(Ashlee) Geier, Courtney(Jonathon) Genske, Timothy Geier and Fiancé Michaela Baldwin, Ethan and Hayden Luther, Curtis, Collin, Cylis, and Clover Luther. Nine great-grandchildren: Madison, Emmett, Luke, Paisley, Sadie, and Haxton Geier, and Taylon, Zailey, and Jayla Genske.

Jon Michael was preceded in death by his beloved mother Mildred, father Raymond (John), his mother and father-in-law Carl and Olive (Baumbach) Stannard, his grandparents for whom raised him, Raymond and Thelma (Livangood) Luther. One brother-in-law Charles Stannard, his step mother Anna Mae, and his granddaughter Payton.

Jon Michael was a fighter from little on, but he took on the fight of his life in January 2016. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He fought hard for 2 years, he never gave up. His most famous saying was “Be good, or be like me” we always laughed, knowing it gave us plenty of room to have fun. He will be sadly missed. We love you! Now go rest high on that mountain dad, your work on earth is done.

A celebration of Jon Michael’s life will be held at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral home at 11am on Saturday December 8th, 2018 with visitation on Friday from 5 to 7pm, and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place in the Cataract Cemetery. Pastor Roberta Lynn Nowicki will officiate. Online condolences may be offered to the Luther family at www.schanhfoerfh.com

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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