John Robert Jarvi

John Robert Jarvi, age 74 of Spring Lake passed away on March 15, 2023 at AdventHealth Heart of Florida.  John was born June 19, 1948 in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Carl "Bob" and E. Loraine (Tedrick) Jarvi.  After graduating from Wyoming Park High School, he went to Western Michigan University and earned both a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in education.  It was while attending Western he met the love of his life, and later married Joann Kirsh. 

While attending WMU John was actively working for the Western Herald covering sporting events. Based upon that experience, and after graduation from WMU John got a job with the Muskegon Chronicle covering the sports beat, where he was best known for his journalistic talent covering sports throughout the State of Michigan for over 40 years.  He enjoyed planning and escorting many bus trips to sporting events and other attractions for Orchard View Travelers for over 20 years. 

John retired from teaching United States History from Orchard View Schools and also taught at Grand Haven Community Education.  In his retirement he kept busy officiating high school and college track meets around the state and was a founding member of the ALL-Star Track Meet, and keeper of the West Michigan Track Invitational Facebook site, posting news of area students as they participated in track meets around the country. He was a vibrant guy, and avid reader of 5 newspapers daily, often clipping articles and mailing them to friends and family of the recipient of the subject matter.

John was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church of the Dunes where he and Joann attended for many decades. To be loved by John was to be razed by John. He remembered the names of your whole family and the details of their lives and would inquire genuinely about them each time you saw him.  He was never at a loss for a sports metaphor, a fun anecdote, a reminder that his favorite team had just beat yours - again. He was a proud and devoted husband, father, brother, friend and Grampie. 

John is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Joann; children Steven (Joanne) Jarvi, Katie Jarvi; and his 2 grandchildren Noah and Alice; siblings Mary (John) Bilski, Bill (Linda) Jarvi, and Cindi (Ron) Bylsma.  

The Memorial service will be on Saturday March 25, at 2:00 p.m. from Klaassen Family Funeral Home with pastor Tim Taylor Officiating.  Visitation with friends and family will be from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation or WMU Broncos Athletics fund for Scholarship. 

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