Obituary for Jack LaVerne Way
On the evening of March 6th, 2023, Jack passed away in Kalamazoo, MI after a major cardiac event. He was surrounded and comforted by his family. Jack was 71 years young.
Jack was born in Battle Creek, MI on March 27, 1951 to Eulah and Howard Way. He was the youngest of 9 children and lost his mother at age 7 to Leukemia. He lived with an Aunt/Uncle in Olivet for a brief period until he was moved to Boy's Town, in Nebraska around age 10. He remained in Boy's Town until he graduated and enlisted in the United States Navy where he served 2 years. He returned to Battle Creek to live his life.
Jack obtained an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science (Tool and Die) and went on to work at Robert’s Packaging and some other local printing companies, until he was hired by Battle Creek Public Schools where he retired as a Facilities Engineer in 2007. He was loved and adored by the many students who passed through his halls during the years. He worked at Urbandale Elementary, Battle Creek Central, and retired while at Colburn Elementary after 30 years of service. He was known as “Mr. Jack…the guy with the snacks” by his students. He loved working for the schools and made it his purpose to look out for those struggling who just needed to see a smiling face and know someone was cheering for them. He believed in having a sense of humor and lived to make everyone smile or laugh. He loved to play the “Hey, what’s that on your shirt” and thought it was so funny every time he caught someone looking.
Jack worked at Lowe’s in Battle Creek from approximately 2009-2019. He worked in hardware and assembly where he very much enjoyed his coworkers and customers.
Jack loved Harley’s and had several throughout the years. Mostly, he loved to impulsively buy new toys and then have buyer’s remorse and would resell or trade down, driving Martha crazy with his impulsiveness and obsessions. He was always looking for the next right project or hobby and finally found his love in being a grandfather and great grandfather. He truly loved all of his children and grandbabies and was very proud of his family.
Some funny things about Jack was his punctuality. He was always 2 hours early to every party, dinner, event he was ever invited. He used to get to work at least 45 minutes early. You could always count on Jack carrying a tape measure on his hip. Never left home without it. He also adopted a new obsession for going to his children’s homes and looking in their refrigerators, from his son-in-law, Mike, just to be nosey. He really thought that was hilarious and exciting for some reason.
Jack was preceded in death by his life partner and true love, Martha, who passed at home on Sept 15th, 2015. They loved to camp and had a seasonal spot for 20 years in Springport Mi at Rocky’s Campground. Before this, they camped every summer traveling to different locations. Martha loved the beach and Jack loved to fish and hunt. He really enjoyed hunting with his sons and grandsons.
Jack’s family was his only real joy. He took the time to develop a special relationship with each of his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He had a special place for each of them in his heart and wanted them all to feel special and loved. He was protective of his family and worried a great deal which finally took its toll on his sweet heart.
In 1974, Jack married Margo J. Way (Clark) and had 3 children from this marriage. They divorced in 1980.
In 1987, Jack married Martha Ruth Gallagher (Phillips). Martha had 4 children who he loved like his own. They were happily married for 29 years.
Jack was survived by his 3 children; Nichole L Way-Henson (Ronald); Eric J Way (Carmen Janow), and Christina Way-Eakins (Michael); his step-children, Michael J. Gallagher (Bronwyn); Michelle Debilzan (Josh); Elizabeth Fuller (Matthew). His grandchildren; Meghan, Donovan, Emily, Madeline, Haley, McKenzie, Brennen, Austin, Patricia, Jacob, Ethan, Alexa, Dorian, Darby, Jayda, and Pearson. His great-grandchildren; Braydon, Landyn, and Ryn; and his nieces Melissa Shuford and Michelle Way (of Florida). And his “adopted” daughter Katie McCauley (Bell) of Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eulah and Howard Way; his brother and sister in-law, Mike and Sally Way; his step-daughter, Cindy Gallagher; his grandson Michael J. Gallagher; his ex-wife, Margo Way; and his beloved soul mate, Martha R. Way.
“That’s a NICE Bucket”
Jack was born in Battle Creek, MI on March 27, 1951 to Eulah and Howard Way. He was the youngest of 9 children and lost his mother at age 7 to Leukemia. He lived with an Aunt/Uncle in Olivet for a brief period until he was moved to Boy's Town, in Nebraska around age 10. He remained in Boy's Town until he graduated and enlisted in the United States Navy where he served 2 years. He returned to Battle Creek to live his life.
Jack obtained an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science (Tool and Die) and went on to work at Robert’s Packaging and some other local printing companies, until he was hired by Battle Creek Public Schools where he retired as a Facilities Engineer in 2007. He was loved and adored by the many students who passed through his halls during the years. He worked at Urbandale Elementary, Battle Creek Central, and retired while at Colburn Elementary after 30 years of service. He was known as “Mr. Jack…the guy with the snacks” by his students. He loved working for the schools and made it his purpose to look out for those struggling who just needed to see a smiling face and know someone was cheering for them. He believed in having a sense of humor and lived to make everyone smile or laugh. He loved to play the “Hey, what’s that on your shirt” and thought it was so funny every time he caught someone looking.
Jack worked at Lowe’s in Battle Creek from approximately 2009-2019. He worked in hardware and assembly where he very much enjoyed his coworkers and customers.
Jack loved Harley’s and had several throughout the years. Mostly, he loved to impulsively buy new toys and then have buyer’s remorse and would resell or trade down, driving Martha crazy with his impulsiveness and obsessions. He was always looking for the next right project or hobby and finally found his love in being a grandfather and great grandfather. He truly loved all of his children and grandbabies and was very proud of his family.
Some funny things about Jack was his punctuality. He was always 2 hours early to every party, dinner, event he was ever invited. He used to get to work at least 45 minutes early. You could always count on Jack carrying a tape measure on his hip. Never left home without it. He also adopted a new obsession for going to his children’s homes and looking in their refrigerators, from his son-in-law, Mike, just to be nosey. He really thought that was hilarious and exciting for some reason.
Jack was preceded in death by his life partner and true love, Martha, who passed at home on Sept 15th, 2015. They loved to camp and had a seasonal spot for 20 years in Springport Mi at Rocky’s Campground. Before this, they camped every summer traveling to different locations. Martha loved the beach and Jack loved to fish and hunt. He really enjoyed hunting with his sons and grandsons.
Jack’s family was his only real joy. He took the time to develop a special relationship with each of his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He had a special place for each of them in his heart and wanted them all to feel special and loved. He was protective of his family and worried a great deal which finally took its toll on his sweet heart.
In 1974, Jack married Margo J. Way (Clark) and had 3 children from this marriage. They divorced in 1980.
In 1987, Jack married Martha Ruth Gallagher (Phillips). Martha had 4 children who he loved like his own. They were happily married for 29 years.
Jack was survived by his 3 children; Nichole L Way-Henson (Ronald); Eric J Way (Carmen Janow), and Christina Way-Eakins (Michael); his step-children, Michael J. Gallagher (Bronwyn); Michelle Debilzan (Josh); Elizabeth Fuller (Matthew). His grandchildren; Meghan, Donovan, Emily, Madeline, Haley, McKenzie, Brennen, Austin, Patricia, Jacob, Ethan, Alexa, Dorian, Darby, Jayda, and Pearson. His great-grandchildren; Braydon, Landyn, and Ryn; and his nieces Melissa Shuford and Michelle Way (of Florida). And his “adopted” daughter Katie McCauley (Bell) of Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eulah and Howard Way; his brother and sister in-law, Mike and Sally Way; his step-daughter, Cindy Gallagher; his grandson Michael J. Gallagher; his ex-wife, Margo Way; and his beloved soul mate, Martha R. Way.
“That’s a NICE Bucket”