John Edward Bluthardt

John Edward Bluthardt, 63, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at Bronson Battle Creek after a long illness.

John was born August 7, 1962, in Battle Creek to Russell Bluthardt and Susan Hoadley. He grew up outside of Marshall and was a 1980 graduate of Marshall High School. John was a self-employed contractor and a perfectionist, right down to the smallest detail. His business was known as “Handy Hands”. He could do just about anything and enjoyed exploring and solving new ways for a perfect outcome. Previously John was employed at George Ewing Travel Trailer Sales and Paulson’s Auto Electric Motor Home Division refurbishing and repairing motor home interiors. In his younger years he worked with his father at Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub in Marshall, beginning in maintenance and working his way up to a sous-chef. He was a master craftsman and woodworker. When the former railway station became Clara’s On the River, John was the one who repaired and refurbished all the woodwork during the remodeling. John loved helping older people with upkeep projects that they were not able to do themselves.

He met the love of his life, after being recommended by a neighbor to solve a small home repair issue. John Edward Bluthardt and Cheryl Arlyn Kahler were united in marriage on January 16, 2010, in Battle Creek. Surviving are his wife, Cheryl; children, Joshua Bluthardt of Battle Creek, Nicole Vanharren of Charlotte, Kaleb Kahler of Kalamazoo, Kristin (Brian) Burdett of Battle Creek and Germany; grandchildren, TJ and Tyler VanHarren; Cayden and Mason Burdett; his father, David Traxler of Minnesota; brother, Carl (Xaojun Liu) Bluthardt of Florida; four sisters, Karen Bluthardt of California, Diane (Chuck) Sweeney of Germany, Monica (Tom) Payne of Minnesota, Holly Traxler of Nevada; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. John was preceded in death by his mother, Susan (Hoadley) Traxler; and his father, Russell Bluthardt.

John attended Calvary Baptist Church with his family. He loved nature, photography and taking photos of his family. He loved to travel with friends and family. John also enjoyed growing his own vegetables. He was an excellent cook, created unique meals and knew all the right spices and flavorings for every dish. He spent the whole year preparing to entertain families and children at Fort Custer State Park on Halloween as the DJ “Wooley Walrus”, providing music, humor and family fun. He always put everyone else first, loved people and enjoyed helping others. John will be remembered as a loving, caring person.

Friends will be received 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church, where a funeral service to celebrate John’s life will be officiated by Pastor Bryan MacPhail-Fausey 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/calvarybaptistbc. Committal and interment will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 1625 Capital Ave. N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.