John Richard Fueslein
John Richard “Jack” Fueslein, 92, of Yale/Charlotte/Grand Haven, Michigan, took his last earthly breath and entered eternity with his Savior on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Jack was born on May 23, 1933, in his grandparent’s home in Yale, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Carole (Cole) Fueslein; son, J. Duane (Cecilia); daughter, Diane; son, Donald (Janice); grandsons, Blake (Emily Roberts), Kyle (Kristine), and Cole (Ashleigh Pippel); great grandchildren, Rowen, Jenna, and Madilynn; sisters, Jane (Kenneth) Bennett and Ann Manzano; sister-in-law, Sharon Palmateer; and many extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Virgiline Fueslein; his brother, Jerome “Jerry” Fueslein; and sister-in-law, Laurene Green.
Jack grew up on his parent’s dairy farm in the “thumb” of Michigan, specifically in Greenwood Township and the city of Yale where his German immigrant family had settled in the 1800s. He developed a love of working the land and the farm life. As a high schooler, he became active in 4-H, participating in many state-level competitions and shows, and in Future Farmers of America where he served as the Yale club’s President his senior year and was a state-level contestant on the Parliamentary Procedure Team.
He graduated from Yale High School in 1951 and later attained an Associate of Science degree from St. Clair County Community College in 1959 while working and supporting his young family.
He met his future wife, Carole Cole, at Yale High School and they married on October 3, 1953. Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army and conducted basic training at Fort Knox, KY and Ft. Sam Houston, TX, then transferred to Fort Carson, Colorado, as a Medic, 8th Infantry Division, and a Clerk Typist, G-2 Intelligence Office. He was discharged in December 1955 as an E-5 Specialist 1st Class.
Upon returning to Michigan, Jack’s career life initially began by returning to his farming roots raising milk cows and also working as a Research Technician at Mueller Brass Co. in Port Huron. After a brief time in insurance sales with Sun Life of Canada, he became a Salesman of International Harvester industrial equipment with Chas. F. Lambert & Son of Smiths Creek. This inspired his entrepreneurial spirit, and he and the family moved to Charlotte, Michigan for a position at Lovell Implement Co, becoming Owner and Proprietor of J.R. Fueslein, Inc., in 1969. Jack became integral to the farming community there and could always tell you which farmer bought what equipment, even many years after. He was awarded as an “XL Dealer” by International Harvester for meeting the highest customer service standards and was one of the first two individuals awarded as such in the state of Michigan. He retired from J.R. Fueslein, Inc., in fall of 1992 and developed his own yard installation/excavation business which he fondly called “the dirt business.” During this time, Jack was also employed by Spartan Motors of Charlotte as the Transportation Driver of their show vehicle semi-truck traveling all over the United States to trade shows and exhibits. Carole accompanied him on those adventures, and they had many great experiences and made many new friends.
As a young man in the fall of 1952, Jack accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, and this grounded his marriage and family life in Biblical values and efforts. He was the Treasurer and SS Superintendent for North Lakeport Wesleyan Church for many years, using his creativity and passion to encourage increased attendance from the community. He also maintained the church grounds for many years, pulling the children in to mow and pull weeds weekly. Upon moving to Charlotte, he became involved first at the Charlotte Free Methodist Church and later at the Charlotte First Baptist Church. In later years while wintering in Zephyrhills, Florida, he attended and was supportive of Faith Baptist Church there. Jack’s faith has not wavered through the highs and lows of life, always expressing a gratefulness of God’s blessings in prayers for the family, even as recently as Thanksgiving 2025 at 92 years old and with failing health.
Jack’s community involvement included many endeavors. He was Member and one-year President of Charlotte Kiwanis Club and caretaker of their fundraiser county fair “pecan pie booth.” He was a Board Member and greatly involved with the Kiwanis Manor Apartments serving the elderly community in Charlotte. He was an Eaton County Road Commissioner for many years. He was a Board Member and President of the Maple Hill Cemetery Board of Charlotte and was recognized for his many contributions with the naming of the rear gate and a street for him. He was a Member of the Michigan Farm Equipment Dealer Association and a Member of the Eaton County Parks & Recreation Department.
Jack always loved building and working with his hands, using his creativity and mechanical mindset to engineer, design, and build all kinds of things – improving things and making life interesting. He maintained an extensive workshop filled with mechanical equipment, trucks, tractors, and a self-made “oil pull,” fixed and retrofitted equipment for his farming or dirt business, made Christmas ornaments early in married life when money was tight, enabled summer fun via camping trailers and trips as well as a cottage on Thornapple Lake, and collected antique tractor seats and farm equipment parts from which he made colorful chairs and yard flowers for all the family members. After such an active life, Jack found it difficult to sit still. As he reclined in the chair or bed during his last days, he often asked what he was supposed to be doing with an eagerness to get up and be on with it. Also, knowing his weakness and his wife’s extensive care, he often asked what he could do and offered to help string the Christmas lights outside on the balcony. He lived a purpose-driven and God-inspired life of helping others where and when he could.
Friends are encouraged to support Jack’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, December 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services were Thursday, December 18 at noon with Pastor Wally Miars officiating. Jack will be laid to rest at Maple Hill Cemetery. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Jacks’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.