John Blome Ruegg

John Blome Ruegg of St. Ignace, Michigan, passed away on August 27, 2022, at Pineview Cottage in Harbor Springs, Michigan, at the age of 94. He was born on October 27, 1927, in Clearwater, Florida to parents, Otto and Marie (Blome) Ruegg.

John grew up with two very loving parents that generally left the children to their own devices. His youth consisted of running around barefoot, stepping on baby rattlesnakes, playing with molten lead and occasionally putting out wildfires—all while his parents were working. He excelled in school and was top student of his class. After graduation, John worked in construction where he learned skills he would use for the rest of his life.

On May 1, 1952, John married Joan McLachlan of St. Ignace. They had met in Florida where Joan’s family spent part of the year and John never had eyes for anyone else. Soon after marrying, John entered the Navy and spent nearly two years on a destroyer during the Korean War. After returning, John and Joan moved to St. Ignace permanently. He worked for his father-in-law, Ray McLachlan and eventually taking over the business as it evolved from Ray’s Motor Sales to Firestone tires and Texaco gas station and eventually an Ace Hardware.

John and Joan raised three children in the house he built himself. He had one of the best gardens in town and could grow just about anything, from strawberries to asparagus to kohlrabi and kale—plus gorgeous flowers. John was someone who was never bored. He was an avid reader and very involved in his church. He enjoyed singing in the choir at the United Methodist Church and taking his daily coffee breaks at Bentley’s. He was active in Gideon’s International and was a member of the local Kiwanis for more than fifty years and ended each day by reading the bible. At one point, John estimated he had read the bible cover to cover probably thirty-five times.
John was a stubborn, cute, and funny man who was greatly loved by his family.

John is survived by his children, Philip (Mary Kaye) Ruegg of St. Ignace, Pamela (Keith) Ruegg Morgen of Okemos, Michigan & Pte. Aux Chenes, and Alison (Sam) DeCamp of Harbor Springs; grandchildren, Kate (Matt) Shaw, Elizabeth (Rand) Litzner, Jonathan Ruegg, Sam Morgen, Lucas Morgen, Anna DeCamp and Jimmie DeCamp; great-grandchildren, Noah Litzner and Isabel Litzner; sister, Marie Bullock of Conroe, Texas, as well as many nieces and nephews and great friends.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Joan; parents, Otto and Marie Ruegg; brothers, Otto Ruegg Jr (Battle of the Bulge) and Joe Ruegg, and brother-in-law, Bob Ruegg.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, August 30, at the St. Ignace United Methodist Church with visitation beginning at 10 AM followed by the service at 11 AM.

Memorials in John’s memory may be left to the United Methodist Church in St. Ignace.