John DeFields of Coloma, MI passed away on Monday, June 20, 2016 at StoryPoint wing of Independence Village in Grand Ledge, Michigan near the home of his daughter Pamela Randall.  He was born December 28, 1921 in Coloma, MI to Harry and Isabelle DeField.  John was very involved in scouting and prior to graduating from Coloma High School earned the coveted Eagle Scout rank.  Following graduation John enlisted in the Navy, a six year enlistment.  He was assigned to the crew of the destroyer U.S.S SHAW (DD 373) in the Pacific Fleet.  The SHAW was in Pearl Harbor during the attack on December 7, 1941 and was severely damaged by three bomb hits and the explosion of her ammunition magazines.  John received the Purple Heart for wounds received in this action.  He and the SHAW spent the rest of WWII in the South Pacific where the ship earned eleven battle stars.

John married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jean Locke, in Reno, Nevada.  Following his honorable discharge from the Navy at the end of WWII he and Jean made their home in Coloma, MI.  They celebrated 74 years of Marriage on March 21 ^st , shortly prior to Mary Jean's passing.

Following discharge from the Navy John spent the next 42 years in the Industrial Supply business.  The last 30 years of which he managed the Benton Harbor store of Kendall Industrial Supplies.  Following his retirement from Kendall he became the custodian of Midway Baptist Church, where he was also a member. He held this position for 25 years until the age of 91.  He was also a life member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association; the D.A.V and Coloma Post 362 American Legion.

He is survived by his sister Joan (Richard) Fox of Watervliet; a son David A. (Victoria) DeFields of Coloma; a daughter Pamela J. Randall of Charlotte, MI as well as six grandchildren Elizabeth A. (Gaetano "Tom") DeRosa of Covert; Erin L. (James) Schlaman of Berrien Springs; David "Adam" (Dawn) DeFields of Caledonia; Jeffery P. (Debra) Randall of Land O Lakes, FL; Dr. Gregory T. (Teresa) Randall of Hastings; and Dr. Scott A. (Stacey) Randall of Escanaba.  He also has eighteen great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jean and son-in-law Norman Randall.

Visitation will be held at Midway Baptist Church on Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM followed by the funeral service in the same location starting at 10:30 AM.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Hwy., Watervliet, MI 49098.  Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet is assisting John's family with arrangements.  You may leave a memory of John at hutchinsfuneral.com