John Abraham

ADRIAN – John Abraham, age 93 of Adrian, passed away Monday, August 1, 2016 at his home. He was born January 1, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Samuel and Rashada (David) Abraham, and graduated from Adrian High School. He also attended Western Michigan University and the University of Toledo. In 1947 John met the love of his life, Loraine, while working at Faraday in Adrian, Michigan. They were engaged and on June 25, 1949, John married Loraine James at the First United Methodist Church. John and Loraine were a committed and loving couple who enjoyed traveling and gardening together. She preceded him in death in 2004, having been blessed with 55 years together. John worked on a farm with his father, Sam (Farhat) Abraham, and in the early 1950’s built a small house on Tipton Highway for him and Loraine. Before the house was even finished, a young couple returning from the service purchased the house from John. Seeing an opportunity, and believing that everyone should have a place to call home, John went on to build thousands of houses all over Lenawee County and beyond. He enjoyed a 65 year career in real estate as a builder, developer and agent. He was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, and an active member in the Adrian Rotary Club, visiting and helping other Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in his travels. He was also instrumental in saving the historic “Free-Soil School”, an old one-room schoolhouse north of Adrian, and having it relocated to Heritage Park, where it is used today as a teaching tool, helping hundreds of children connect to their pioneer heritage. John was very proud of his Lebanese heritage, and loved sharing colorful stories of his life with his children and grandchildren. Also, he hosted and helped many foreign students and others as they established a life in this country. He was known for his generosity, a dry sense of humor, his quick wit, and letters to the editor on a variety of issues. He enjoyed gardening and canning, making wine, beekeeping and working on his farm. Other times, he could be found feeding the catfish in his pond, searching for arrowheads in the woods, or walking his dog, which was his loving companion in later years. Surviving are his children: Carmen Abraham-Walden and David Abraham; a sister, Annie June of Adrian; eight grandchildren: Sonya and Brandon Huff, Kimberly (Josh) Baker, John (Jennifer), Samuel, Aaron, Ashlyn and Austin Abraham; and four great grandchildren: Keeli, Miles, Dylan, and Aiden. In addition to his wife, Loraine, he was preceded in death by brothers: Edward, Nathan, and George Abraham, and sisters, Harriet McKinney, Rose Sharkus and Julie Snyder. Funeral services will take place Saturday, August 6, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Adrian with Rev. Christopher Brundage officiating. Burial will be private. Friends may visit the family Friday at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Contributions in memory of John are suggested to Lenawee Humane Society or First United Methodist Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

John Abraham

January 1, 1923 - August 1, 2016