John Benjamin Clelland (Hippie John), 55, of Hopkins, Michigan, was born on March 5th, 1963 to Pete and Grace Clelland. He passed away peacefully with his wife Denise by his side on September 23rd 2018. He fought a long battle with cancer. True Warrior! He was employed at Cordes Inc. as a heavy equipment mechanic for many years and was a hard working man. John enjoyed spending time with family and friends, including his best friends, Don of Bradley, Michigan, who considered him a brother, and Jack Baumen of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was an animal lover and loved his boy Luther, his dog. He loved flowers, planting gardens, fishing,and having a good time. He had a love for music: Country--George Jones (Grand Tour)-- Rock-N-Roll (Motley Crue). He had a love for his Harley and playing guitar. He had a great artistic ability and many received pictures and cards from him. You could find John building with his hands or outside. He was very humorous and loved to laugh. He was a one-of-a kind guy. You couldn't forget his personality and his smile was contagious. John loved spending time with his kids, and even though they were not his own, he took on the responsibility of raising them. He considered them his own kids, teaching them all the knowledge he had. He was a great father. He loved spending time with his grandkids, who always made him laugh and brought a smile to his face. He was a realist and an open-minded person. He always had the effect of pissing people off--LOL. John is survived by his wife of 20 years, Denise Clelland of Hopkins; his kids Timothy Burns (Timmy and Hudson) of Kalamazoo, Shana Burns (Kyleigh) of Hopkins, Brandon Burns, and Ashley Veliz (Trenity) of Orangeville; mother-in-law, Marie Raines, of Grand Rapids; father, Pete Clelland (Cathy Clelland) of Grant; siblings, Nancy and Tony Straub of Hastings; sister, Tina and Bruce of Alto; brother, Jim of Hastings, Mary and Rich DeYoung, of Manton, Rachel, of Grant and several nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his dog, Lex Ann (that was his girl); mother, Grace Clelland; grandfather, George Hupp Clelland; grandmother, Nancy Jean Clelland; great-grandmother, Mary and mentor, Jim Cordes Sr.. Little thing from John....he always made family and friends laugh. "Listen, listen the cats pissin! Where, where under the chair? Run, run go get the gun! It's too late, shes all done" He taught all the kids to say it. There will be a celebration of life for John on October 13th at 2:00 pm - October 14 at 12:00 pm at 10019 68th St. Alto, MI 49302. He would have loved to see his family and friends gather to celebrate his life. He will be greatly missed by many we love. We'll see you later, fly high! I love you forever from me, to you. Love, his wife. Love always, Shana.