John Vroman

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, John 0. Vroman went peacefully to join his family in Heaven on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2014. He was born to Edith and Owen Vroman on April 27, 1929 in Wyandotte, Michigan. He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from high school and was stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, where he trained pilots in the altitude chamber. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Quinn. She was in nursing school there and along with three of her friends went on a blind date with 4 military men. Her date was John and the rest was history. They married (as did two of the other couples on that blind date) in December, 1952. They returned to Michigan, where he enrolled in Michigan State University to study architectural engineering. He first went to work for Ford Motor Company as an intern, then was hired by Stran Steel, where he worked until 1969. He then worked independently in the steel building and construction field until his retirement. John had an alert and inquisitive mind. He was interested in so many diverse areas that it is hard to list them all. He loved taking pictures, especially of his beautiful wife and quickly growing family and their dogs (always boxers and usually of show quality). He loved watching sports events, and would never miss a game where there was a Michigan team, especially if it was the Lions or Michigan State. He was open minded, though, and took us often to Minnesota Vikings games when we lived in Minnesota. He loved the ethos and competition of sports, especially team sports, and in turn, taught us to be team players and to always do our best. He played golf, bowled with friends, did crossword puzzles daily, and read voraciously. He loved to read anything about architecture and the Civil War. He was an excellent and avid photographer and loved nothing better than to gather the family and show slides. He and Mary Ann loved music. Their house was always filled with the sound of jazz and Motown. A love and appreciation of music in all forms is part of the legacy he left his children. He loved art, especially modern art and western art. John and Mary Ann's home was always filled with art, music, books and love. John was engaged with the world and loved nothing better than learning something new or just sitting down with friends and family, especially at the Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of the Knights and a devout Catholic. John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann; his seven children, Mary (Sam) Levis, Michael (Montse) Vroman, Ann (Duane) Grosulak, Patty (Clark) Schmidt, Jimmy Vroman, Susie (Kerry) Loran and Nancy Vroman (Ed Regele); 10 grandchildren, Megan Levis, John Paul and Catherine Vroman, Ian, Aleksei (Kelsey) and Kehley Grosulak, Lisa and Matt Schmidt, Makay Loran, and Tyler Lister. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Billings Health and Rehab, who took wonderful care of John during this last year. You provided him with everything he needed and were always there for him, especially when he needed you most. Thank you for your loving care and kindness. Visitation: Viewing will begin at 5:00 p.m., Rosary 6:30 p.m. and Vigil Service 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 at Dahl Chapel. Service: Memorial Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, with burial of ashes in Holy Cross Cemetery.