Joseph E. Hughes Jr.
Visitation: Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Schipper Funeral Home from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Funeral Service: Friday, July 14, 2023, at Factoryville Bible Church at 11:00 AM with Pastor Fred Goebert officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the funeral service.
Interment: Monday, July 17, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.
Joseph E. Hughes Jr. age 73, of Colon passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Ascension Borgess Hospital.
Joseph was born on August 25, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, a son to the late Joseph and Margaret (VanTricht) Hughes Sr. Joseph moved to Colon when he was 7 and spent the remainder of his life there. He graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1967.
Joseph served his country as a member of the United States Army for 2 years, serving in Vietnam. He was a proud veteran and a true patriot.
On November 1, 1969, Joseph married his wife of 53 years Rose M. Yockman.
Joseph worked for 40 years as a tool maker at Burr Oak Tool Inc. in Sturgis, retiring in 2012. He was a devout Christian and lover of God. Joseph and his wife Rose are attendees of Factoryville Bible Church. Joseph and Rose are past members of Colon Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and served on the church board as treasurer for many years. Joseph was also the Awanas leader for several years. Joseph enjoyed wood working and loved his family dearly.
Surviving Joseph today is his wife Rose M. Hughes of Colon, sons: Joseph (Michele) Hughes III of Sturgis, and Shawn (Kelley Stoppels) Hughes of East Grand Rapids, grandchildren: Allyson Hughes, Tyler Hughes, Alexandra Hughes, Trinity Hughes, Henry Stoppels-Hughes, and Libby Stoppels-Hughes and great granddaughter Violet Stephens.
Besides his parents Joseph Sr. and Margaret Hughes Joseph was preceded in death by a sister Diane Oldenberg.
The Hughes family will receive friends and family on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD. in Colon from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. A funeral service celebrating the life of Joseph will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the Factoryville Bible Church at 11:00 AM with pastor Fred Goebert officiating. A Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will take place Monday, July 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be directed to Colon Fire and Rescue or Factoryville Bible Church. Envelopes will be available both at church and the funeral home.
July 12, 2023 @ 9:03 am
Joseph Hughes was a superb Artillery Soldier serving in my Command of Charlie Battery, 3rd Bn 18th Field Artillery in Minh Long, Landing Zone Crunch in 1 Corps, Vietnam. Joe worked hard, often more than 15 hours per day for the entire year of 1969 -1970. As a diligent Cannoneer of the 8″ Howitzer Section, he was promoted to the grade of Corporal.
Later in life, Joe was instrumental in organizing the Charlie Battery’s soldier’s reunions which were held in numerous places in the USA for the members and their wives.
Joe and Rose were the primary advocates to these reunions from New York to Texas, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, South Carolina, Wisconsin and others. Various Members sponsored the reunion where the Soldiers and their wives could meet and have time to exchange their stories after returning from Vietnam and in the present time. His driving force and encouragement will be missed by all of us soldiers of Charlie Battery.
LTC(Ret) John Gerzel
July 14, 2023 @ 12:03 am
Joe was a classmate, neighbor and friend. His children were classmates to my children. He will be missed by many, and never forgotten. Sleep friend.