UNIST Manufacturing Employee Turns 90
Congratulations to John Warsen for October Birthday
What are you planning to do on your 90th birthday?
John Warsen came to work, and brought donuts! He
continued his Oct. 23 2007 celebration later in the day
with his wife by having dinner at the Old Country
Buffet. "Work is recreation for me," says John. He
learned about UNIST at age 75 from one of his
grandsons already working in the company. He has
been "recreating" at UNIST now for about 15 years.
During this time his fellow employees do not recall
him ever arriving late or missing any days. He once
left work early due to a slight hand injury, but was back
on the job the next day.
Warsen has considered the retired life. He even once
put his name on a wait list at a retirement home but
when his name came up, at age 80, he decided he
didn't yet feel old enough to take on the lifestyle. Even
at 90, John says he doesn't feel much different than
he did at 50, 60, or 70. He doesn't care much for TV.
Born in 1917, near Cadillac, MI, John Warsen was
raised on a farm. He attended Lucas Christian
School as a youth, just a few miles from his home.
He fondly remembers family Bible reading at meal
times in his parent's home, and carried on the same
tradition in his own home. "I made it through the
depression fairly easily as a young man," Warsen
says, "because I had little responsibility at the time."
John came to Grand Rapids, MI in 1940, landing a
position at Keeler Brass. His wage of 47.5 cents per
hour ($4.75 for a 10 hour day) more than doubled his
former pay of $2.00 per hour, the highest he had
previously earned. But he worked at Keeler only two
years before joining the military in the Second World
War. He shipped off to England with his company as
part of the Air Service Command, but a kidney stone
kept him out of combat. He worked out the remainder
of his 3 years in Europe servicing trucks on a base.
Following the war John spent several years "doing
nursing" at Pine Rest Nursing Home. After that he
became a carpenter at Steelcase, also in Grand
Rapids, where he retired after 18 years of service.
John Warsen's life has been filled with the good
things most people seek. His faith is the "most
important thing" to him. He decided to follow Christ
with his life at a young age. He readily acknowledges
God's blessing upon him as the reason he has lived
long and his life has been relatively uncomplicated.
"I have always had work to support my family;" another
blessing which he credits to his faith and the God he
worships. John earlier enjoyed a 40 year marriage
with his wife Christine, and now is married more than
10 years to his wife Grace. He has 4 children and 10
grandchildren, with an 11th on the way
As 2007 draws to a close, John's routine is set. He
works 3 days per week at UNIST in the shop. The
balance of his week is spent doing woodworking and
home projects. Warsen sometimes attends craft fairs
and shows on the weekend to sell his wood projects.
He credits his daily strength to God, and possibly to
frequent eating of Kellog's Corn Flakes.
Send a note to John
