JOHN LAPLANTE

 John LaPlante, 66, of Coloma, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026.

 John will be remembered for his quick wit, his willingness to lend a helping hand, and his lifelong love of good music. Whether he was sharing a joke, listening to Pink Floyd loud enough for the neighbors to hear, or picking out the perfect steaks to throw on the grill, he had a quiet way of making ordinary moments a little brighter.

 John was preceded in death by his mother, Dee (Marvin) Reynolds; his father, John Gideon LaPlante; his brothers, Jimmy, Timmy, and Steve LaPlante; and his ex-wife turned best friend, Teresa Smithers.

 He is survived by his son, John LaPlante Jr.; his daughter, Ashley (LaPlante) Butler and her husband, James; his beloved grandchildren, Annabelle, Sophie, Theodore, and Genevieve Butler, who lovingly called him “Grandpa John”; his brother, Duane LaPlante; and his sisters, Pam (Tim) Shattuck and Yvonne “Bonnie” (Joey) Infinger. He also leaves behind many extended family members and friends who will miss his stories, his laughter, and his ability to find something funny in just about any situation.

 If you knew John, there’s a good chance you shared a laugh with him. He never passed up the chance to brighten someone’s day with a joke or a clever comment. Life wasn’t always easy, but he believed a good laugh could make almost any day a little better. He spent the last years of his life devoted to caring for his ailing ex-wife, finding friendship and love again.

 When he wasn’t making people laugh or listening to Pink Floyd, John could usually be found working on one of his many little projects around his apartment building. He took pride in making the place nicer—not for recognition, but simply because he wanted the people around him to enjoy where they lived. Whether it was fixing something, improving a space, or lending a hand, he quietly left things a little better than he found them.

 The family will celebrate John’s life with a private ceremony.

 If you’d like to honor John’s memory, skip the flowers. Instead, tell a joke, make someone smile, help a neighbor with a small project, or turn up a Pink Floyd song a little louder than usual. John would probably tell you to make it loud enough for the neighbors to enjoy it too.