Joseph Hughes

Mr. Joseph E. Hughes, Jr., age 86, of Greenville, passed away early Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2008 at Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Hospital, Greenville. The son of Nettie (Wrenchausen) and Joseph Edgar Hughes, Sr., he was born on Aug. 12, 1922 in Black, Missouri and grew up in Lansing. Following high school, Joe began working at the General Motors Forge Plant until enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his discharge, he married Marjorie Mae Hay on Nov. 27, 1943, in Lansing. Together, Joe and Marge enjoyed traveling, as well spending weekends at Turk Lake. After retiring from General Motors with over 33 years of service, they made their home in Greenville. Joe was a member of Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 96, having served as Chaplain, was a past master of Trufant Masonic Lodge No. 456, was a 32 degree member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Grand Rapids where he served as Wardrobe Chairman, and was a member the Saladin Shrine Temple where he served in the Color Guard. In addition, he was a member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101, the Disabled American Veterans, the National Rifle Association, and the Flat River Conservation Club. Joe also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John Hughes, and Warren Hughes. Surviving are his wife of nearly 65 years, Marjorie Hughes of Greenville; a sister, Helen Coil of Mecosta, a brother, Gerald & Sondra Hughes of Charlotte; a sister-in-law, Mary Brooks of Tempe, Arizona; special friends, Lori & Kevin Wiltkowski and Mike & BillieJo Ingraham, all of Greenville; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends and neighbors. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, with burial following privately at Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing. The Rev. Jerry Jones, pastor of the First Congregational Church, will officiate and military honors will be rendered by the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101. Visitation is on Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Masonic memorial ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. Envelopes for memorial contributions to either the Salvation Army or the Saladin Shrine Childrens Trust will be available. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Hughes, please visit our flower store.