William John Blyth, 98, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2015 in East Lansing. John had a special talent of understanding people and becoming their friend. He was exceptional at getting them to discuss problems and then work together lovingly and kindly with them to figure out how to solve those problems. John was the son of an Episcopal minister, very devoted to God, Country and many charitable and educational organizations. Those where he had donated both time and money included the Red Cross; Burcham Hills Foundation; First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn, MI; the Directors’ Scholarship Fund of the Friends of Camp Chickagami, Presque Isle, MI; Michigan State University and others. In 2007, John was awarded Philanthropist of the Year by Mid-Michigan’s Capital Region Community Foundation. Lessons he taught us by example will always honor his name. John had served as a Vice President of Michigan Bell Telephone Company and also held management positions at AT&T and MCI. He graduated from Michigan State in 1940 with a M.S. degree in engineering and had also received a B.S. there earlier. He and his wife co-wrote two editions of a textbook, "Telecommunications", that was standard curriculum at over 60 colleges and universities, including Michigan State. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dr. Mary M. Blyth, good friend Katherine Lewis, sisters Dr. Isobel Blyth and Jean Blyth Meade, and his parents Macie and Rev. William Shaw Blyth. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Blyth Skinner, sons David and Dennis, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and families of Jean Meade and Dorothy Skinner. The Meade family also includes Dr. John B. Meade, devoted brother-in-law who tirelessly cared for his comfort and many of the daily needs in recent years, 4 children (John Jr., Susan, Bill and Mary), plus 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The Dorothy Skinner family also includes husband Martin J. Skinner, Sr., five children [Mary (deceased), Bill, Bob, Marty, and Mike] plus two granddaughters and one great granddaughter. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ada Whitehouse Room at Burcham Hills Center for Health and Rehabilitation, 2700 Burcham Road, East Lansing, Michigan. For those desiring, contributions may be made in John’s memory to the W. John and Mary Blyth Fund in honor of Hans & Mary Sennholz Program at James Madison College at MSU (Development Fund). The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.
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