John Lyle LaPonsie, 88, of Sault Ste Marie, MI passed away Jul 8, 2021, at the Hospice of the EUP – Hospice House.
John was born on Mar 19, 1933, in Brimley to the late William and Myrtle (Williams) LaPonsie. He worked on the family farm and was a logger as a young man. He went to Lansing for a job opportunity with Oldsmobile. John returned to Sault Ste Marie and found employment at the Veneer Mill before returning to the job that became his passion, logging. Woods work was in John’s blood and he spent the vast majority of his time with a chainsaw or a processor in his hands. He logged with his brothers and nephews and loved to talk about all of their great times together over the years. Every man that has ever logged knows that loggers never retire. Such was the case with John until 2008 at the age of 75 he hung up his lunch pail and put away his bug dope. John never left the woods far behind and always had a story of the bear 20 feet away or the Bull Elk screaming next to his machine when he walked in, in the morning. He loved to socialize with friends and family and nobody remained a stranger with John for long. John, May the Sun always be at your back, May your Saw always be Sharp and May ever stick be a Veneer Log.
John is survived by his daughters: Debbie (Roy Carne) LaFaver of Sault Ste Marie, MI, Brenda (Leon) Derusha of Brimley, MI, and Yvonne LaPonsie of Rudyard, MI. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Kenneth LaFaver, Crystal (Jason Berg) LaFaver, Jessica (Roy) Bathgate, Ashley (Bryan) Bunker, Justin (Chelsea) Derusha, Jenna Derusha, Clinton LaFaver IV, and Amanda LaPonsie; and 20 great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings: Fern and Arty of the Soo, Larry of Brimley, Jimmy, Gene, Marsha, and David all of Dafter.
John is preceded in death by his parents, and Melvina LaPonsie, the mother of his children; and four siblings, Billie, Ida, Andy, and Gary.
No public services will be held at this time.