John R. Curran, age 81 of Gratiot, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 2, 1936 in South Wayne, the son of Daniel and Agnes (Satterlee) Curran and following the unexpected death of his mother when he was two-years-old was raised by his aunt and uncle Harry and Mary Satterlee. John graduated from Gratiot High School in 1954. He was united in marriage to Janice M. Edwards on July 21, 1956 in Rockford, Ill. John grew up in Gratiot where he began farming in 1959. He served in the United States Army from 1956 where he was stationed in Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1959. Upon his return, he again started farming with his uncle Harry.
John is survived by his wife Jan at home; three children: Nathan (Judy) Curran of Monroe, Dewey (Diane) Curran of Adams and Kevin (Nancy) Curran of Browntown; seven grandchildren: Justin (Alicia) Curran, Jacie (Justin) Hoffman, Jeff (Sheila) Yaun, Jana (Paul) Milligan, Jenna (Jesse) Rueger, Shaun Curran, and Mitchell Curran; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother: James Curran of Browntown; one step-brother: Michael Curran of Tomah; two sisters-in-law: Debbie (Larry) Konstant of Pecatonica, Ill. and Margie Edwards of Santa Fe, N.M.; and one brother-in-law: Gary Edwards of Farmington, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; his godparents: Harry and Mary Satterlee; one sister: Bonnie (Spencer) Okerlund; one special cousin: Jim Satterlee; one sister-in-law: Ann Curran; and one step-brother: Phillip Curran.
John was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gratiot and served on the Gratiot Town Board for 10 years. He loved to spend time cruising in the “56 Merc” and had a knack for tinkering and fixing things. John cherished the time he spent with his family creating memories that they will remember forever. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends.
A Funeral Mass was held Friday, July 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (5685 Main Street, Gratiot) where Rev. Sudhakar Devarapu officiated. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery at a later date where military graveside rites will be accorded by Gratiot American Legion Post #177. A visitation was held Thursday, July 20, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and again on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the church. The Steil-Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in John’s name.