Obituary of Joseph John Schlachter

Joseph "Jack" Schlachter, age 88, born in St. Clair Shores, July 31, 1929 to Elvira and Benedikt Schlachter, German Immigrants, passed away on July 15, 2018. His family was among some of the first residents in St. Clair Shores where they farmed in what was then country living. His parents sent him to work on farms at an early age to learn the farming business. When his family moved to Detroit in his early teens he worked alongside his father in a meat packing plant during WWII. He joined the Marine Corps at age 17, doing basic training in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune. By trade he was a wood pattern/model maker, working at various small shops and eventually finished his career at GM where he retired. He was an avid reader always on the quest to learn something new, especially health related and worked out every day. He was always willing to lend a helping hand without asking anything in return. Joseph is survived by his second wife Margaret "Dolly" Mainardi Schlachter, his children Debra (David) Carson, Craig (Diane) Schlachter, Connie Jo (David) McIlhargey, Lora (Jeff Ward) Gruenwald, Kenneth (Lisa) Schlachter; his grandchildren Kelly, Connie, Craig, Lynn, Jennifer, Daniel, Meredith, Annabel, his great grandchildren Tyler, Derek, Brookelynn, Benjamin, Alexander, Josephine and Collin, and his sister Barbara (Mary) Schlachter. He is predeceased by his first wife Constance "Connie" Schlachter (Owens), sisters Loli Wood and Vera Lesinski, and brother Benny Schlachter. His favorite saying was "Its all part of growing up." A Memorial to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, July 29 from 1-5 pm at a clubhouse located at 8351 Kennedy Circle Dr., Warren, Michigan. A military burial will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan on September 14. In lieu of flowers, please share your favorite story or memories.