Shepherd, John W. John Wesley Shepherd of Newaygo, a distinguished and respected attorney, passed away at the age of 85 at the Blodgett Hospital on Thursday, July 29, 2004. He has been a life-long resident of Newaygo County and grew up on Newell Street in White Cloud where his grandfather, George Shepherd was Newaygo County Clerk and his father, Lyle Shepherd was Newaygo County Surveyor. John graduated with honors from Western Michigan University in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to serve his country during W.W. II. He was sent to officers school at Yale University. As a 1st Lieutenant he was stationed in Guam where he quickly distinguished himself and was promoted to Captain. After the war, John attended Detroit College of Law where he also distinguished himself. Upon graduation he returned to White Cloud where he served as a County Commissioner, sat on numerous boards, served as an assistant Prosecuting Attorney for 7 years before being elected 3 times as Newaygo County Prosecutor. In 1968, John joined his brother, Russell, who was also a distinguished attorney, in the law firm of Shepherd and Shepherd based in Newaygo. John retired from full time law practice on Dec. 31, 2001. For the past 30 years, John has lived on the Muskegon River, just south of Newaygo. He loved to hunt, fish, and talk about both. He was a regular visitor to the Upper Peninsula and the remote lakes and rivers of Canada. His favorite hunting and fishing resort was Ten Curves cabins near Manistique Lake. His favorite fishing hole was Lake Matinenda near Blind River, Ontario known for its lake trout, birch trees, and fresh air. Johns parents, Lyle and Mildred Shepherd of White Cloud preceded him in death as did his brothers, Russell and Wayne and sisters, Sally Jones and Helen VandenBeldt. John is survived by his wife, a regionally well known retired teacher and water color artist, Gladys DeGolia Shepherd; 2 daughters, Martha Shepherd of Brisbane, Australia; Jean (Von) Fierke of Haslett, MI; 3 stepsons, Dr. Jeffrey Bulson of Tampa, FL; David E. Bulson of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Paul Chip Bulson of Seattle, WA; 7 grandchildren, Harmony Gmazel, Erin Bulson, Eric Bulson, Emily Bulson, Jeffrey Bulson, Dylan Bulson, Paige Bulson; 1 great grandchild, Gretta M. Gmazel; sister-in-laws, Shirley Brooks and Beach Shepherd; his nephews, Lyle Shepherd, Jon Shepherd, Dr. Dane Chico Shepherd. Sam Shepherd, Tim Shepherd, Danny Jones, Jim Jones; his nieces, Dianna Shepherd Force, Darcy (Jones) Puckett, Janice Casey, and numerous great nieces, nephews, and cousins. John was known for a wise, practical, down to earth person. He was widely respected for his straight forward truthfulness, generosity, and sense of fair play. A memorial gathering took place on Friday, Aug. 6, 2004 at 1pm at the Crandell Funeral Home White Cloud Chapel with a short reception following at the St. Joseph Catholic Family Center in White Cloud. A memorial fund has been established in Johns name for the sole purpose of advancing recreation, wildlife, and the environment in Newaygo County. Memorial contributions may be sent to the John W. Shepherd Memorial Fund, C/O Crandell Funeral Home P O Box 122 White Cloud MI 49349.