John Carl Colling

John C. Colling, age 90, longtime resident of Northville, passed away January 2, 2025. As a lifelong writer, he created a book of his own stories and wrote the following in its forward:

“John C. Colling was born and raised in southwest Detroit, graduated from Detroit’s Western High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Wayne State University, and attained master’s candidate status in anthropology/archaeology also at Wayne State. He also spent two years in the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country.

His first writing experience came as a sports reporter for The Roundup, Western  High’s  student newspaper where he earned a writing award for football team coverage and upon graduation, was named the boy most likely to succeed.

During  his life, he worked as a street reporter for radio station WKMH, ten years as a senior publicist  for the City of Detroit’s public relations department assigned to the Police and Fire Departments (including setting up the newsroom for the ’67 Detroit riots), communications manager for the Southeast Michigan Travel and Tourist Association, five years as Director of Communications and six years as Director of Media Relations for Flint’s Kettering University, and, after retiring from Kettering University, two years as a general assignment reporter for the South Lyon (MI) Herald Newspaper.

Aside from his classroom demands, as an undergraduate student, Colling served as manager of WUBG, the student radio station, president of the Alpha Pi Wayne State chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Rho Fraternity, co-author and performer in the annual WSU men’s association stage production, served as audio engineer for a WTVS television drama, “Thunder on Sycamore Street”, and worked as sound effects man for a thirteen-week drama series on radio station WDET.

As a graduate student, Colling served as president of two different chapters of the Michigan Archaeological Society (MAS) as well as being elected to two separate terms as president of the 500-member MAS. As a graduate student, Colling conducted a two-year excavation of a Native American site in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and taught adult education archaeology classes at Monroe County Community College, Schoolcraft College, and the Southfield community schools.

After retirement, he spent nine years as a charter member of the Northville Township (MI) Historic District Commission.”

John Colling lived a vibrant and fulfilling life. A lifelong baseball and softball player, he continued playing well into his later years, even playing on an over-65 team. Having an adventurous spirit, John’s travels took him to locations across North America, Europe, Russia,  several Caribbean Islands, and the unique and breathtaking Galapagos Islands. A connoisseur of dark rum, he savored a good dark rum and coke to unwind and family and friends relished the challenge of discovering new varieties to share with him.

John Colling is survived by family and friends who loved him well, including his wife, Marcie Colling; his daughter, Marie Sherry; his grandson, Matthew (fiancée Caitlyn Anderson) Sherry; his brother-in-law, Mike (Betty) Krafchak; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson and Deahlia (Doettl) Colling; his son-in-law, Dennis Sherry; his brother, Emerson Colling; and his sister Mary Crowley.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Noon with visiting beginning at 11am at the American Legion Post 147, 100 West Dunlap Street, Northville. A luncheon will immediately follow.

John Colling had a special bond with dogs and always had a loyal furry companion by his side, most recently his beloved Drake. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Detroit Dog Rescue , 24429 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48219, or the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society , 13569 Joseph Campau Ave., Detroit, MI 48212, or the English Springer Rescue America .