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John Ernest Jasper

John Ernest Jasper, 77, died Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry.

He was born March 30, 1940, in Detroit, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Suzanne Jasper.

He grew up in Detroit and graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1958, with a major in electrical engineering.  Shortly thereafter, he was hired as the first police cadet for the Oak Park, Mich., police department, and at age 21 he became an officer on the police force.

This prepared him well upon being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1963.  He served as an MP at West Point Military Academy for three years. Upon his discharge in 1966, he returned to Detroit, transitioning back to civilian life by working as a foreman at FitzSimons Manufacturing Company.  But his heart was serving as a law enforcement officer, so he hired onto the Detroit Police Department.

After several years he moved to Woodstock. He first joined the Crystal Lake Police force, then later the Woodstock Police Department.  He worked there until his retirement in 2005.  His career in law enforcement spanned more than 30 years.  Throughout his life, the early training John had received in electrical engineering never waned; his hands and mind were ever keen, always fixing, adapting and building.  This penchant also found its outlet with engines and motors of all kinds and, more recently, computers.

John especially enjoyed the outdoors with his brother, Jim.  Together, they hunted deer and pheasants and fished for walleye and salmon.

Survivors include: a son, John James, Cadillac, Mich.; a daughter, Melanie, Woodstock; a brother, James (Sandra), Augusta, Mich.; a sister, Susan (John) Severn, Mobile, Ala.; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 7, at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Mich., where he will be buried with military honors.

Memorials can be made to the family of a fallen law enforcement officer in the community or Simple Message Ministries, P.O. Box 10222, Warner Robins, Ga., 31095.

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