John David Bailey, age 88, of Hastings MI, peacefully returned home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 9, 2023. He had been living at home in Hastings MI until this past February when he became ill and needed full time care. He was born March 31, 1935, in Mason City, IA the son of Gail O. and Viola H. (Christiansen) Bailey. He grew up and worked on the family farm with his parents, and his siblings, Carolyn, Norman and Connie. John was a 1953 graduate of Mason City High School. During High School he participated in, and excelled at, both basketball and baseball. His large stature made him a formidable force on the hardwood floors in basketball, as well as on the pitcher's mound in baseball. He was given the opportunity to pitch for the St. Louis Browns but chose to follow his own path. One day following graduation he walked into Montgomery Wards in Mason City and that was the day that changed his rest of his life. That day he met Alice L. Bartell; destined to be his wife and eventually the mother of their 7 sons. Alice and John, at 5'1" and 6'6"; respectively, always made a lasting impression wherever they went. They dated over the next several months and especially enjoyed dancing at the Surf Ballroom in neighboring Clear Lake. They were married on December 24, 1953, in Mason City, IA and their family would begin to grow the following year. John served in the US Army National Guard for several years where he achieved Expert Marksmanship medals with his rifle and machine gun. He loved fishing and hunting pheasants and small game. John's career path took him from being a mechanic at John Deere, to being an airline employee with TWA while he attended Logan Chiropractic school, to being an accomplished manufacturing engineer in the air, fuel and oil filter industry…and this is where he found his true calling. "Big John", as many people called him, designed and implemented several manufacturing process lines and moved up through the ranks to serve as the Plant Manager at various filter manufacturers like Deluxe Filters in Lake Mills IA, Baldwin Manufacturing in Kearney NE, Champion Laboratories in Mt. Carmel IL, Mann Filters in Battle Creek MI, Hastings Manufacturing in Hastings MI and Tawas Industries in Oscoda MI. After retiring from the filter business, John briefly worked in real estate in the Tawas City area. One of his favorite personal accomplishments was receiving a US Patent for a weighing device (scale) that would accurately and conveniently weigh anything from a small package to an 18-wheel truck. Being involved with family was always important to John. He was a Boy Scout Leader for several years and at one point in time had 6 of his sons in scouting at the same time. Sports did not end for John in high school. Throughout his life he attended hundreds of athletic events of his boys and grandchildren. He particularly loved watching football, basketball, and baseball games in addition to track meets. He could always be seen standing along the sidelines or sitting up in the stands cheering for his family…he was their "biggest fan" in more than one way! He loved his sports, and he passed that love on to his family! John was also a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as Branch President while living in Mt. Carmel IL. His devotion led him to a lifetime of service helping friends, neighbors, and family. His life spanned 88 years and his legacy of love, hard work, and helping those in need lives on in his family and all those whose lives he touched.

John is survived by his younger sister Connie (John) Friedline of Apex, NC; 6 sons: William L. Bailey of Jackson, MI, James L. (Debbie) Bailey of Hastings, MI, Daniel D. Bailey of Las Vegas, NV, John D. (Shelly) Bailey II of Battle Creek, MI, Brian C. (Lori) Bailey of Hudsonville, MI, and Bradley G. (Angeline) Bailey of Herriman, UT; 28 Grandchildren, 38 Great Grandchildren, and 7 Great-Great Grandchildren; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, sister Carolyn (Duane) Nicholson, brother Norman Bailey, son David J. (Mandi) Bailey, a very special Granddaughter Brooklyn M. Bailey, and most recently by his beloved wife, Alice.

A Memorial Service is being planned for Saturday - August 12th . Services will begin at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 505 N. Airport Road in Hastings. Graveside service will immediately follow at Hastings Township Cemetery located at McKeown Road. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's honor may be made to the Thornapple Garden Club in Hastings. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ofield Funeral
Home in Kentwood (www.ofieldfuneralhom.com).