John Thomas Fredenburg

Mr. John Thomas Fredenburg, 75, of Rothbury, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023. He was born July 26, 1947 in Wilcox Township, Newago County, the son of Sylvester and Clara (Kuhns) Fredenburg.
 
John was a handyman of all handymen. He had so much knowledge of all mechanical devices, so he could fix just about anything. If something ever stumped him, he would just take it apart, find the problem, and put it back together in working order. No matter what tool you might need but didn't have, John always had one or two of them on hand, and would happily lend it to you for your project.
 
John loved the outdoors. His favorite outdoor activity was brook trout fishing, eating them too. But he could be just as happy sitting in a  blind, dropping a line in Little Wildcat in the evening, or sitting outside at the fire pit with family. When he could no longer do some of those outdoor activities as often as he wished, he also enjoyed playing dice and other board games with his family, and laughing at the kitchen table.
 
John was very talented and creative. He loved to work with wood, and made many beautiful canes that he gave to those who needed them. Surprising to some, he also liked to knit and even created his own pattern for a knitted cross. 
 
Although he was often reserved with others, he was a loving and devoted father to Dawn and a warmhearted and supporting husband to Cathy.
 
One of the proudest accomplishments in John's life was that he was 13 years sober! Through that difficult and often challenging journey, he created many friendships that he valued deeply. He will be missed!
 
John is survived by: his loving wife, Catherine Fredenburg; daughter, Dawn Fredenburg; sisters, Mae Taylor, Susan (David) Sill, Jean (John) Burkholder; bothers, Larry Fredenburg, Allen (Margo) Fredenburg.
 
John was preceded in death by: his parents, Sylvester and Clara (Kuhns) Fredenburg; brothers, David, Steven, and Edward.
 
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am, Friday, February 24, 2023, at Rothbury Community Church, 2500 W. Winston Road, Rothbury, Michigan 49452, with pastor James Enns officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am Friday, February 24, 2023, at Rothbury Community Church. Interment will be at the Mennonite Cemetery, White Cloud, Michigan, in the Spring.
 
The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.
 
www.harrisfhome.com

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