John Robert Jeffries

John Robert (Jack) Jeffries, Professor Emeritus, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 20, 2022. Jack was born on November 2, 1936 in Lakeview, Michigan to Rev. Edgar Dean and Marye Velma Rumohr Jeffries. He graduated from Hart High School in 1954. During his high school and college years, Jack worked in construction. As a result of the skills he acquired, he was able to build his home at Upper Silver Lake. He also built a 38 foot sailboat and spent many happy summers sailing on Lake Michigan and into Canadian waters. He also worked driving dune rides for both Mac Woods and Bill Lathers.

After high school he served in the U.S Navy and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. From there he transferred to Indiana University and graduated with a B.S. degree. During his senior year at I.U., Jack was named the President’s Scholar from among all of the honor students. That same year he also began dating the love of his life and wife of 58years, Jillene Lipps from Shelby. Upon graduation, he was hired to teach Mathematics and Physics in Hammond, Indiana. During his time in Hammond, Jack was named Chicago area Science Teacher of the years 1963 and 1964. After completing his Master’s Degree from Purdue University, Jack was hired by West Shore Community College as Professor of Mathematics. During his time at West Shore he taught, Math, Physics and a brand new class in computer programming. He also succeeded in correcting an error in a physics text that had existed for many years. This came about in response to a student who insisted that the text was wrong. Some years later he formed a research team to prove that his explanation for the physics paradox was correct. That work resulted in a series of papers that were published in both the United Kingdom and the United States. To this day the work of the team is used by engineers for the analysis and design of electronic circuits.

Throughout his lifetime, Jack was very active in his church. He used his carpentry skills to help remodel several churches. In later years he was very active in the De Colores community. He also helped to start the Episcopal Cursillo movement and the Walk to Emmaus community. At the time of his death, Jack worshipped at Lighthouse Lutheran Church in Pentwater when he was in Michigan and at Solid Rock Church in Winter Haven when he was spending winters in Florida.

Jack is survived by his; wife, Jillene; son John (Jamie) Jeffries; grandchildren, Shaun Kissling, Joseph Jeffries, Noah Jeffries, Tyler Mangels, and Brandon Mangels; great-grandchildren, Emma and Izyk Kissling, Damian, Sebastian, Freya, Vera, Vivian Jeffries; and many nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his: daughter, Kathryn; his parents; and his seven siblings, Norene (Rev. Melvin) Welch, Jean Jeffries, Mabel Jeffries, Lael (William) Littlefield, William (June) Jeffries, Clarice (Robert) Corrigan, and James (Marilyn) Jeffries.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am, Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the West Golden Wesleyan Church, 2752 N. 34th avenue, Mears, Michigan 49436. The family will receive friends from 10 am until 11 am, Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the West Golden Wesleyan Church. A luncheon will be provided at the church. Burial will be at 2 pm in Hart Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Lighthouse Lutheran Church, 8786 N. Business 31, Pentwater Michigan 49449 or West Golden Wesleyan Church, 2752 N. 34th Avenue, Mears Michigan 49436.

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com
 

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