Jack Courtland
John “Jack” David Courtland, 97, of Muskegon, formerly of Mason County, died on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was born on November 30, 1928, in Scottville, the seventh child of nine to the late Ernest and Lettie (Gulembo) Courtland.
His younger years were spent in Mason County where he helped work on the family farm taking care of cattle and horses, planting harvesting many crops while his father worked away from home.
Jack graduated from Custer High School in 1946. He attended a trade school for communications/radio repair and joined the U.S. Air Force as a radio repairman in 1948 until 1952, stationed in Korea and Japan. He continued his career overseas in communications/radio repair working for the Department of Defense until 1956. He continued in communications stateside until he retired about 1993.
Jack married Jeanne (Harwell) Courtland in 1963. She preceded him in death in 1982. Jack was with June Phillips from 1982 until her death in 2017. Later in life Jack discovered he had a son from his time overseas. They spoke on the phone but didn’t get the opportunity to meet in person.
Jack knew an abundance of card games and enjoyed playing and teaching others new games. He and June were in charge of card playing tournaments at the senior center in North Muskegon for several years. They also enjoyed traveling by bus to many casinos in and out of state. Jack talked fondly about deer hunting and his time in the woods with his friends. Jack enjoyed his weekly trips to the casino and playing in the local cribbage tournament every Thursday right up until his last days.
Jack is survived by his son Art Onwan; his sister JoAnne (Robert) Amador-Borden; June’s family, who endearingly called him Papa Jack; Ardele (Gary) Barnes Sr., Jim (Janet) Phillips, Vicky (Lonnie) James, Tony Phillips, Jeff Phillips, Annette (Bruce) Bettilyon, many grandkids and great grandkids and nieces and nephews on both sides. Jack was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters-in-law William (Betty) Courtland, Elmer (Lillian) Courtland, Fred (Kay) Courtland, sisters and brother-in-law Helen (Carl) Shedina, Florence (Robert) Terryn, Phyllis (Paul) Ruzgis, Eleanor (Bert) Wagner.
Jack left us on March 11, 2026, leaving behind many wonderful years of memories. He will be laid to rest by his wife Jeanne at Restlawn Cemetery.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, 2 p.m. with military honors, at the VFW Post 3256, 9370 Walsh Rd., Montague.
Leave a tribute for Jack at our website www.shorelinememorial.com.
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