John Joseph Makara

    John Joseph Makara, age 68, of Lansing, MI, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024, surrounded by his family at U of M Sparrow.
     John was born in St. Johns, MI on November 19, 1955, the son of John Elmer and Alberta Jean (Thompson) Makara. He was a 1973 graduate of St. Johns High School. On August 6, 2004, he married his wife, Donna, in Rochester Hills, MI, and together they own Lawn Sprinklers Sales, Service &Design, Inc. and J & J Hardwoods, Inc.
     John will always be remembered as a hard worker who could think of twenty different ways to complete every project. John was an avid hunter who enjoyed spending time at the farm with his wife. He always had grand ideas for new projects to improve his hunter’s haven from building trails through the woods to planting trees to making improvements to deer camp.
     John also enjoyed traveling with Donna, their friends and family. Their travels were always filled with adventure and laughter. John especially enjoyed Tuesday night dinners with friends and cheering on the Spartans.
     His strength and determination to move forward every day will be engrained in our hearts and minds. He will be forever missed. John was a member of the Moose Lodge and a lifetime member of the NRA and Safari Club International.
     He is survived by his wife, Donna Makara, o f Lansing; daughter Jessica Wicke (Jim Hunnicutt) of St. Johns; son Nick Makara of Elsie; son Jeremy Girven (Brandi Evans) of Lansing; son Joshua Girven (Jennifer) of Iron Mountain, son Kyle James (Heather Schmidt) of Charlotte; grandchildren: Jazmine, Brendan, Cheyenne, James, Carson, Anabelle, Olivia, Charley, Jourdan, Landen, Alexis, Rylan, Wyatt, Aries, Lillie, Jeremiah, Oliver and Leo; great-grandchildren Carter, Brekin and Maria; brother Jerry Makara of Elsie as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jean Makara, and brother Jim Makara.
     Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, immediately followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 P.M. at the Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, 104 E Cass St.,St. Johns, MI.
     Memorials may be given to the ALS Association of Michigan, 24359 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48075 or to Gift of Life Michigan, 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.