John Thompson Bales, 72, of Traverse City, passed away Monday, February 24, 2014 at Munson Medical Center.

John was born in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday, April 13, 1941, the son of Reva Lavon (Robison) and Ferdinand Finley Bales. He married Mary Alice Wilbrett on Saturday, July 16, 1966 in Detroit.

John grew up in Kalamazoo, MI. He attended Western Michigan University (WMU), graduating with a degree in Paper Engineering from the College of Engineering and Applied Science. He spent his career working in the paper industry, beginning with Hercules, Inc and eventually retiring from Beloit, Inc. He was active in industry associations, PIMA, TAPPI and served as the Chairman of the Board for the Paper Technology Board of Directors at WMU. His career took him to live in Delaware, Florida, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan, establishing good friends along the way. In retirement, he continued to pursue his business interests, and served on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries and Paperworks Studio, which supports special need adults in the Traverse City area. He was a voracious reader, loved books, enjoyed many outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, golfing and traveling. He was most recently a member Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City, raised his family in the Lutheran tradition wherever they lived, and served in the leadership of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church while in Oregon. While quiet about it, John fought chronic lymphocytic leukemia the last 16 years of his life.

Family, friends and faith were always high priorities in his life. His integrity and wisdom will carry on. He will forever be remembered and loved by his wife Mary; children, Thom (Jillian) of San Francisco, CA; Melinda (Robert) Howell of Marietta, GA; grandchildren, Meredith and Caroline Howell and Talbot, Morgan and Mary Elizabeth "Emmy" Bales; his brother, Daniel (Carole) Bales of Romulus, in-laws Robert (Darlene) Wilbrett along with nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends. John was preceded in death by his parents.

A service celebrating John's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at Central United Methodist Church with Pastors Dale Ostema and Chris Lane officiating. Immediately following the service the family will host a luncheon.

Rather than flowers and plants, the family would like John to be remembered through memorial contributions to either PaperWorks Studio, (2889 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686) or Central United Methodist Church (222 Cass Street, Traverse City, MI 49684)

Please share your favorite memories of John with his family by way of his online tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.