John Grier

He was born on Aug. 8, 1943, in Chicago to the late John B. and Dorothy (Lagerstedt) Grier. John was a graduate of Kingsford High School, Class of ’61.

In April of 1964 he enlisted with the Army National Guard. While John was working at Bert Harvey Wholesale Sporting Goods he met Linda Peretto. On Dec. 11, 1965, they were married at First Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain.

John’s National Guard Unit was deployed twice including a deployment to the 1967 Detroit Riot. He was discharged in December of 1969.

John worked a variety of jobs, the longest of which was with the Groveland Mine, before opening his store “Whispering Pines Outpost” in 1983. He ran the store until his retirement in 2020. John was a patriot and an outdoorsman. In addition to hunting, fishing, and gardening he was a voracious student of war history.

More than anything, John loved spending time with his family and cherished moments such as watching the Packers with his wife.

John will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years, Linda Grier; two children, Stephanie White (Brian) and John Grier (Laura); three grandchildren, Jeremy (Amber) White, Christopher White and Timothy M. LaPine; great granddaughter, Ingrid Mae White; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation will be at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home from 4 until 6 p.m. on Tuesday Jan. 10, with Rev. Stephen Lehmann officiating the funeral service at 6 p.m. Burial will be in Stambaugh Cemetery in the spring.

John’s family would like to thank the entire community for their care, support and patronage of his store.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of John Ernest Grier online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.