John Francis Vanlerberghe Sr. of Ray Township passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the age of 101 years. 

John was born June 10, 1917 in Redford, Michigan to Florent and Eveline Vanlerberghe. On January 20, 1940, John married Helen Raska at St. Clement of Rome in Romeo, Michigan. Before her passing, they spent many wonderful years together raising their family. He retired from Interstate Manufacturing in 1979. He was a member of St. Mary Mystical Rose and the Knights of Columbus in Armada, Michigan. John spent a good deal of time in nature, between camping with Helen and farming. He enjoyed reading and played accordion in a Polka band for many years. John will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

John is survived by his sons John Vanlerberghe, Jr., Lawrence (Jacalyn) Vanlerberghe, and Patrick (Julie) Vanlerberghe; daughter Carol Shore; grandchildren, Michael Vanlerberghe, Thomas (Gwen) Vanlerberghe, Mark (Tami) Vanlerberghe, Brian (Megan) Vanlerberghe, Stephen (Sherry) Shore, David (Michele) Shore, Deborah (Matthew) Burns, Rebecca (Beau) Brockett, Christine (Robert) Lindeman, Amanda (Michael) Rohda, Joshua Vanlerberghe and Jessica (Jack) Clock; great-grandchildren, Kyle Vanlerberghe, Kori & Kacie Thomas; Ethan & Ty Vanlerberghe; Kelsey, Logan & Luke Vanlerberghe; Andrew & Abigail Shore; Matthew, Owen, Benjamin, & James Burns; Beau, Emma, Sophie, & Gabe Brockett; Paige Rohda and Hazel Clock. John was predeceased by his beloved wife Helen Vanlerberghe; brothers Andrew (Madeline), Julius (Blanche), George (Bernadette), and Joseph Vanlerberghe; sisters Mary (Glen) Barg, Sedona (Xavier) VanSlambrouk, Cecilia (Remi) Pype, and Laura (John) Wachter; and daughter-in-law, Joan Vanlerberghe.

Visitation for John will take place on Monday October 29, 2018 from 2:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. at Tiffany Young & Hauss Funeral Home with a 7:00 p.m. rosary service. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday October 30, 2018 at St. Mary Mystical Rose Catholic Church, 24040 Armada Ridge Rd., Armada 48005 at 11:00 a.m. with 10:30 a.m. instate time. Burial will follow at Willow Grove Cemetery in Richmond. 

Memorial tributes would be appreciated to Hospice of Michigan, St. Mary Mystical Rose Catholic Church or the family.