John E. Auer

John E. Auer, age 86, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 27, 2020. John was born in South Bend, Indiana on May 12, 1934. John was raised on the family farm by parents Jerry and Mary (Early) Auer. He graduated from Lakeville High School and the Indiana Institute of Technology. He retired from Eaton Manufacturing after several years of service as an engineer and was a member of the Mechanical Engineers Society.

John married the "Love of His Life", Jacqueline I. Jones at Battle Creek Friends Church on December 21, 1963; she survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Cindy (Art) Arizmendi of Ceresco and Kristi (Allen) Slater of Adrian; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; a brother, Tom (Audrey) Auer of Indiana; a sister Janet (Don) Reed of Indiana; and several nieces & nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marilyn Klein.

A very friendly and social person, John liked talking with people and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed designing and tinkering with mechanical things and was ahead of the times with his preference toward electric powered equipment versus gas engines. He also enjoyed traveling, investing, coin collecting, computers, watching movies and the history channel. His joy of listening to Jazz and Swing music came from playing the Saxophone with the band and at hoedowns in the barn on the farm.

At John's request, cremation has taken place and no services are being planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com