Obituary: John W Bishop, Jr
John Wesley Bishop, Jr. November 20, 1946 — April 10, 2025
John Wesley Bishop, Jr., age 78, passed April 10, 2025, at his home while surrounded by his loving family.
During the last two days of John’s life, numerous family members and friends were able to show their love by sharing memories. Out-of-state family sent text messages reminiscing about their childhood with John. These messages were read to him by his wife. Shortly before John’s passing, his niece, Michelle Krull and her daughter, Ella Nelson, were with Wanda taking care of John’s medical needs.
John was born November 20, 1946, at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor to John Wesley, Sr., and Vivian Mae (Curts) Bishop, who preceded him in death.
John attended many schools throughout his childhood, including Willow Run, St. John’s, Pinckney, and Dexter. As a young child, John would spend time with his Grandpop and Grandma Bishop, aunts and uncles, and cousins in Millville, New Jersey.
John’s family eventually moved to California, and, in 1965, he graduated from Helix High School in La Mesa, California. When John was not in school, you would find him working on cars. After graduating from high school, John achieved an award from “The World of Banking.” However, he soon realized that was not a career for him.
John received his electrical apprenticeship from King Seeley in the early 1970s and eventually earned his Journeyman Electrician License. He worked for several local electrical contractors out of the IBEW 252 union hall. John hired in at the University of Michigan in the Skilled Trades division in 1986. While at the UofM, John served as Union Steward—a role he took very seriously. John was also part of the UofM Joint Apprenticeship Committee from 1996–2004, where he helped guide and direct the selection and education of about 40 Skilled Trades apprentices, including direct involvement in about two dozen selection committees. John was a proud member of IBEW 252 and received his 50-year pin in October 2023.
John met the love of his life, Wanda McGranahan, in 1979, and they were married in September 1986. In 1985, they bought a “fixer-upper”—a home that predates the Civil War. Because John’s family moved around so much, he vowed to never move again—and he didn’t. John made his journey into Heaven in the same home where his mother-in-law, Luella McGranahan, and his mother, Vivian, passed.
John retired in 2004 from the UofM. After retirement, John enjoyed tinkering in his shop with tractors, cars, and trucks. John also enjoyed riding motorcycles with his buddy, Jay.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Steven, who died in 1959 shortly after birth; step-mother Helen Bishop; in-laws Marley and Luella McGranahan; nephew Seth Bishop; uncles Kenny, Richard, and Paul Bishop, Ralph Curts, and Jimmy Perlongo; aunts Lillian Bishop, Florence Bishop, Alma Curts, and Edie Perlongo; brother-in-law Eddie McGranahan; and sisters-in-law Darlene (Chuck) Kanagy and Denise (Steve) Edwards.
In addition to his wife, Wanda, John is survived by his brothers Richard (Donna) and Mike Bishop; sons Chuck (Janet) Beard and Rusty (Jennifer) Blackwell; grandchildren Patrick Beard and Riley and Josephine Blackwell; and sisters-in-law Rita (Randy) Bunch, Marcia Kipp, and Lori Krull. John was also blessed with many nieces and nephews and faithful friends.
In 2019, John was diagnosed with cancer. Throughout the many treatments that John endured, he remained positive and continued to live life! He would say, “life’s a dance”—please enjoy life with those you love. Be kind—your kindness may be exactly what someone needs.
John will be missed by many, however, the wonderful memories that we have been blessed with will remain in our hearts and minds forever.
The family would like to thank the medical team at the Chelsea Cancer Center, who treated John from 2019 until 2023, along with Arbor Hospice and the many nurses and doctors who provided excellent care since February 2024.
Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 2–4 and 6–8pm. The -funeral service will be on Tuesday, April 15, at 11am, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea with Reverend Daniel Pezzica officiating; the family will also receive friends at the church from 10am until the time of the service. Burial to immediately follow at Oak Grove East in Chelsea, with a luncheon afterward at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, Michigan (https://oursaviorchelsea.com/), the Cancer Center in Chelsea, Michigan (https://giving.trinityhealthmichigan.org/chelsea), the Dutchmen Firefighters Association (275 South Macomb Street; Manchester, MI 48158), or Arbor Hospice (https://arborhospice.org/donate/).
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