John, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed into eternal life at his Farmington Hills home on Monday morning, April 17, 2023.  He was 80 years old.

John was born December 21, 1942, in Union City, TN, one of five children to the late Van and Naomi (Owen) Ping, where he was raised on the family farm. John picked cotton as a child.  Sometimes, instead of picking the cotton, he would lay on his back and stare up at the clouds, enjoying a good daydream, until he was caught and had to get back to work.

When John was 11, his family moved to Michigan where his father worked at one of the "Big Three" car companies. At school, he was made fun of for his southern accent. He didn't take too kindly to that, and he set the bullies straight early on.

John was a Vietnam veteran, serving his country with honor in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Shortly after he returned home, he went on a blind date with Penny Gendron. The date went so well that six weeks later, he asked her to marry him and (after a few no's) she said "yes!" A few months later, they were married, with the stipulation that divorce wasn't even in the dictionary.  After two years, their first daughter, Jodi, was born. Two years after Jodi, Tracie came along, and four years after Tracie, Anna was born. Some say being the father of three girls brings you close to sainthood, especially during the teenage years! He survived by taking yearly hunting trips and fishing whenever the opportunity would present itself. When he wasn't hunting or fishing, he was working. John worked in the diamond tool industry for his entire working career, sometimes working 60 or more hours a week to make sure his family had what they needed.  There was never a lot of extra money for vacations, so John and Penny would take the girls on trips to see family and friends, which created some of the best memories for them.

While life with a family of five was quite busy, John still managed to find time to serve God through his time at church.  This included service on the Board of Education as well as several years of serving as a deacon. After the girls all moved on with school, marriage, and careers, John and Penny spent time traveling to places like the Caribbean, Europe, and Cuba. After he retired, the traveling continued, seeing family and friends. He also began eating breakfast once a week with a great group of men from St. Paul's, where he and Penny had been members for over 50 years.

John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was the best grandfather you could ask for and loved all his grandkids no matter what. He was always up for fun and you could count on him for a few strong opinions, good jokes, and euphemisms. When he was teasing you, his eyes would twinkle with mischief, causing you to love him all the more. He loved Jesus, his family, and his friends wholeheartedly. He was generous, patriotic, patient, strong, and kind and will be greatly missed. He would want you to know he is celebrating in Heaven and would like you to celebrate as well when you think of him.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 54 years, Penny; three devoted daughters, Jodi Alderson, Tracie (Richard) Bastien, and Anna (Steven) Jecewski; and six adored grandchildren, Quinn Alderson, Amira Bastien, Emily Bastien, Jackson Bastien, Madeline Jecewski, and Thomas Jecewski, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Claire Bastien, in 2009, and siblings, Peggy Snell, Van (Joan) Ping, Gene (Betty) Ping, and Patricia Ping.

Family and friends may gather for visitation at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, downtown Farmington, on Thursday, April 27, from 5-8 pm, and Friday, April 28, from 2-8 pm.

John's funeral ceremony is planned for Saturday morning, April 29, at 11:00 am (in state 10:00 am) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 17810 Farmington Road, Livonia.

Those who wish to further honor John's life are invited to consider a contribution to WELS Christian Aid and Relief.

Interment, including military funeral honors, will follow at Glen Eden Memorial Park, Livonia.

Kindly keep John and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.