John O. BISSONETTE

Bissonette, John O. 'Ozzie' -- Bay City, Michigan -- John O. "Ozzie" Bissonette, age 80 years, died February 2, 2005 at The Carriage House of Bay City. He was born in Standish on January 27, 1925 to the late Joseph and Lavina (LaClair) Bissonette. John was employed in construction for 17 years working out of the Laborer's local #1098. He served with the U. S. Navy during World War II. John was a member of St. Joseph Church, Knights of Columbus, Council #414 and St. Joseph Church Senior Club. He was a life member of VFW Post #485, life member of VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, MI, past commander of VFW Post #485 and held the office of Quartermaster for 18 years. John was past VFW District and State Color Guard and local poppy and Voice of Democracy chairman for VFW post #485. He was very proud to be vice chairmen of a group of nine that volunteered their time to have the expansion of the Bay County Community Center to be built for the Riverside Senior Center. The Bissonette family would like to extend a special thank you to all the nurses, aides and activity girls at the Carriage House for the kind and compassionate care they provided for John during his illness. Surviving is his wife of 56 years, the former Mary Jane Campau, whom he married on April 17, 1948; his nine children: Jane (Terry) Toohey of CA, John (Mary) Bissonette of Bay City, Jerry (Rashelle) Bissonette of CA, Jodine (Mark) Kokemueller of WI, Joyce Bissonette, Jacqueline Liss (her fiance, Butch Rettelle), Joseph Bissonette, Jennifer (Rodney) Goff and Julia (Robert) Wise, all of Bay City; 16 grandchildren: Tim, Colleen, Shawn, Daniel, Jesse, Andrew, John, Thomas, Christine, Paul, Matthew, Michael, Kristi, Robert, Amanda and Mahrisa; five great grandchildren: Desiree, Mia, Jackie, Salina and Janiece; three brothers: Donald, Arthur and Charles Bissonette, and his sister, Ida Lathi. Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and Leo Bissonette. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Church. John will lie in state in church Saturday after 9:00 a.m. Rev. Dale A. Orlik will preside and interment will be in Floral Gardens Cemetery with Military Rites under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council. Memorials may be directed to Riverside Senior Center or 'Wishes of the Family.' Visiting hours will be Thursday 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., in the W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel. 'God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered 'Come to Me.' With tearful eyes we watched slowly, and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A tender heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to show us, He only takes the best.' Trahan Funeral Chapel & Prearrangement Center Madison at Tenth www.trahanfc.com Published in the Bay City Times on 2/3/2005.